Couple Punished In Attack On School Crossing Guard

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Two parents charged in an attack on a 73-year-old Lansing school crossing guard who tried to stop a fight have been sentenced to jail and probation.

Judge Hugh Clarke Jr. says it's "another reason" why some families don't like sending their children to Lansing schools.

Darrell Livingston and wife Shareka McKinney say they drove their 6-year-old son to a bus stop to fight a 7-year-old schoolmate from Lyons Elementary School.

Crossing guard James Thompson was punched and suffered a chipped tooth when he tried to intervene during the March 31 incident. He pulled out a small knife to defend himself.

McKinney said in April that her son had been bullied by the classmate since January, and that he sustained scratches and scrapes on his face in the first fight in March.

The Lansing State Journal says Livingston was sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in jail. McKinney was cleared of assault but convicted of another charge. She'll avoid jail if she completes probation.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.