COVINGTON, Ga. - Deputies took an 11-year-old into custody April 10 after the student was found with a kitchen knife at Cousins Middle School.

According to a Newton County Sheriff’s Office incident report, the knife was discovered by an administrator during a search of the student’s belongings. The administrator then contacted the school resource officer.

A NCSO spokesperson said the student gave multiple reasons for having the knife saying he found it, and because he gets bullied by kids in the neighborhood.

The Covington News has reached out to the Newton County School System for comment and will update the story as new information becomes available.