Juvenile charges are being sought against one of seven Upton Middle School students by Berrien County Prosecutor Mike Sepic in connection with what his office calls “loathsome and despicable racial comments” made in a private chat group on the smartphone app Kik. The comments were made after school hours, and was investigated by St. Joseph Public Safety after parents caught wind of the discussion. While police determined there was no threat of physical contact of property damage, prosecutors believe there is enough evidence against a 13-year-old white male from Benton Harbor to proceed with a charge of malicious use of a telecommunications system. No charges are being sought for the other six, as prosecutors say their comments were not directed at anyone with the intent to intimidate or harass anyone. One of the seven brought a black classmate into the discussion, exposing him to the previous conversation.
