Student accused of having knife on bus

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A Mainland High School student faces serious charges after allegedly bringing a knife on a school bus and then threatening a student.  

According to Daytona Beach Police, Diamond Nelson, 18, was on a school bus, when she allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife from her purse and threatened another student, while stabbing a seat on the bus. She now faces charges of aggravated assault, criminal mischief, and possession of a weapon on school property.

Her father, Fannell Jones, told a judge on Friday that this was his daughter's first arrest and that they had recently moved to Volusia County. "I just ask the court to have leniency on her, because I feel like she knows, it's a first time thing. She's very, very remorseful for what she did and praying she learn from her mistake." 

"These accusations are very serious, especially since they happened on the bus with the driver driving," said Judge Judy Davidson. "I find that an aggravator."  The judge set bond totaling more than $10,000.

Afterwards, Fannell told FOX 35, "Just seemed like the judge slammed the gavel on her. When do we start giving our youth a second chance?"

Nelson's mother said they had recently moved from Flagler County, because her daughter kept getting into trouble in school. She said her daughter started to show improvement, up until now. "It's wrong what she did, but she was trying so hard to do the right thing," she said.  She added that they are not going to give up on their daughter, despite her arrest, "by praying and trusting in God, having faith."

The judge also ordered Nelson not to have any contact with the victim.