Greece, N.Y. --- Police are done investigating now that Karen Klein’s decision is to not press criminal charges against the four boys seen tormenting her in an online video.Klein told 13WHAM News that she thinks the Greece School District and the boys’ parents can determine the appropriate discipline in this matter. So long as that is the case she will not pursue charges.
"It is really up to me what I want to do, if I don't want to press charges I don't have to press charges,” Klein said of her conversations with Greece Police early Thursday. “I just felt so bad about what the parents and what the families are going through, I think that is pretty much punishment in itself."
While in her living room watching 13WHAM News broadcast an afternoon press conference by local authorities, Klein spoke of her decision and suggested possible punishments like no more riding the bus for a year or losing extra-curricular activities.
"If they aren't punished then the other kids probably will think they could do whatever they want to do," Klein said.
Since the video went viral Klein has been the recipient of an out-pouring of support and gifts from friends, neighbors, and even complete strangers. One neighbor brought her three children over to deliver two bouquets of flowers. Moments later another bouquet from an anonymous sender arrived at the door.
"I mean I see names but I don't know who they are,” Klein said of the gifts and cards she’s received in the last two days. “Like most of my flowers came from people I don't know."
While 13WHAM News was with Klein, radio and TV host Ryan Seacrest called and interviewed her for his radio show.
"I think it upset a lot of people to see what happened to you and I'm sorry that it did happen to you,” Seacrest said.
“Yeah, I still can't believe it did," Klein responded.
Others have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars online for Klein to retire early or go on a vacation. Through it all Klein is keeping her cool and her sense of humor.
"They didn't do anything in school, it was on the bus…what happens on the bus stays on the bus, right?” Klein chuckled before adding with another chuckle, “Not necessarily!”
While Klein said she would like apologies from these boys, she also added that she is not ready to see them again yet. She heard one might be writing her a letter and while she hasn’t received anything she did say she would read it.
"I don't always blame the parents because kids will be kids,” Klein said of the situation while drawing on her years of experience working with children. “And it's like if they're all together that's when they act up; talk to one (and) they're great kids."
