Kiera Wilmot, 16, Arrested And Expelled For Explosive 'Science Experiment'

16-Year-Old Student Arrested For

What Kiera Wilmot claims started as a harmless experiment is now a nightmare for the 16-year-old Florida native.

Wilmot, a Bartow High School student, was arrested at her school last week for allegedly detonating a water bottle filled with an explosive concoction of common household chemicals. According to the Miami New Times, "[A] police report ... indicates Wilmot mixed toilet bowl cleaner and aluminum foil -- a combination that has inspired hundreds of YouTube videos and generally produces a fairly unimpressive explosion."

One teen told Florida-based WTSP News 10 that Wilmot merely wanted to see what would happen when those chemicals mixed.

The experiment reportedly created a small explosion that caused the bottle's top to pop off and produced smoke. Although no one was hurt and no property was damaged, Wilmot was charged with “possession/discharge of a weapon on school property and discharging a destructive device,” according to WTSP. Both charges are felonies.

WTSP also reports that Wilmot has been expelled and will now finish high school in an expulsion program.

According to Miami New Times, Wilmot was known as a good student. She told police that she was conducting a science experiment, though it does not appear to have been an experiment her teachers assigned.

Wilmot’s school principal, Ron Pritchard, defended the student in an interview with local news outlet The Ledger. He noted that Wilmot did not leave the premises after the explosion. "She left it [the bottle] on the ground, and she stayed there," Pritchard said. "We went over to where she was. She saw that we saw her, so she didn't take off."

Wilmot’s school district released the following statement about the incident, according to the Miami New Times:

Anytime a student makes a bad choice it is disappointing to us. Unfortunately, the incident that occurred at Bartow High School yesterday was a serious breach of conduct. In order to maintain a safe and orderly learning environment, we simply must uphold our code of conduct rules. We urge our parents to join us in conveying the message that there are consequences to actions. We will not compromise the safety and security of our students and staff.

(Hat tip, Gawker)

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