There were some half-truths told by officials in the hearing in Vidalia Youth Court about the 16-year-old charged with making bombs. I believe these statements led the judge to put him in jail.

Three of the devices he built are partly filled with flash powder. Flash powder is not an explosive. It just burns with bright colors.

Another device is about the size of your thumb. When set off, it would most likely sound like an old M-80 or a silver salute that used to be sold to the public.

It would probably make a very loud sound, like a big firecracker. The law made a big deal of it being in a book.

This was a kid acting like James Bond or some other movie secret agent. The sad part is he did not make this device. It was given to him by one of the other kids under investigation. One of the kids admitted to helping build three of these devices, but guess what? He and the other kid are at home.

The statement given by an officer about being mad at a teacher for a bad grade is not accurate.

They asked questions such as are you mad at a classmate, or mad at a teacher or something going on at school. After he had answered no to all their questions, they asked if he had any bad grades. He said he did have some bad grades. Then they asked if the bad grades had upset him. They were told yes and from this they concluded that he was mad at his teacher. His mother was at the questioning and told me this was the way they came to this conclusion.

The police have a sheet of paper with odd letters, numbers and symbols written on it. They say this could be coded bomb building instructions. Guess what? It is codes to enter a computer to beat computer games.

They have a list they found with items such as matches, lighter fluid, rope, etc. This could be bomb-making material. No, it is a supply list for boy scout camping.

Unless you have been under the thumb of the law, you cannot understand the tactics, methods and half-truths they use to get answers and results the way they want them.

If you read this, I thank you for taking time to let me tell you a few of the things I know for sure.

I can’t help but believe this thing is out of hand and a child is suffering.

Herbert Braswell is the grandfather of the teen arrested.