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Janitor Offers Students $1 To Beat Up 4th-Grader

GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ/AP) - An official says a janitor contracted to work at a western Michigan school has been fired after she offered two students $1 to "rough up" a fellow fourth-grader who made disparaging remarks about her.

Grand Rapids Public Schools spokesman John Helmholdt said the janitor was fired Monday after a bystander reported the offer.

According to the Grand Rapids Press, the janitor acknowledged her role in the incident, which occurred during lunch at Campus Elementary. Helmholdt said the remarks from the student involved included a "curse word and unflattering comments" about the janitor.

Helmholdt said it's "absolutely unacceptable in any way, shape or form for an employee to behave in this manner." It wasn't immediately clear if the students involved faced any disciplinary actions.

The janitor started working at the school this year and had passed a district background check, according to officials.

Helmholdt said an investigation is ongoing, adding that it's "a very rare and unique incident."

TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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