How I read this was as follows. The kid responded inappropriately (ie, violently) to something she didn't want to do. The faculty felt the need to bring law enforcement professionals in and sent the child off with them to be dealt with. If the kid has a history of violent behaviour and previous disciplinary action (such as denial of priveleges) has failed to curb it, this might just be the next step up. The kid might not understand what a felony charge is, but I'll bet she understands big scary police officers and being stuck in juvenile detention. Given that the charges 'may' (read probably will) be dropped so long as she attends therapy, this is my guess as to what's going on. It's a scare tactic.
The article tries very hard to make it seem like a wildly inappropriate response, but the fact that several school and law enforcement officials discussed the action and decided that this was the best course implies to me that there's more here we're not being told.
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I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
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