Black Florida Teen Will Not Face Charges For Science Experiment Explosion

Brian Haas, an assistant state attorney and spokesman for the office, said he could not provide details of the diversion-program agreement reached in a juvenile’s case. But he said the teenager and her guardian had signed the agreement.

“The pending case has been dismissed. No formal charges will be filed,” read the office’s statement.

Hardaway said Kiera and her mother were both relieved and the teenager was “very happy.” No one answered the phone at Kiera’s Bartow home Wednesday.

Hardaway said he will turn his attention now to helping Kiera, whom he described as a good student, avoid expulsion and return to Bartow High for the next school year.

Leah Lauderdale, a spokesman for the school district, said in a statement: “The Polk County School District will take the State Attorney’s decision into consideration in determining what, if any, further disciplinary action is appropriate.”

The online petition for Kiera was started by an Oregon woman, who said she was thrilled with Wednesday’s news.

“I’m so excited to hear that the charges against Kiera have been dropped and that she can now start to move on with her life,” said Maggie Gilman, in a statement released by Change.org, which hosted her online petition.

“Even though I don’t have the privilege of knowing Kiera, I believe we all have the responsibility to stand up with one another whenever there is injustice.”