Mpls. students hung dark-skinned baby doll

Four students at Washburn High School are facing scrutiny for hanging a dark-skinned baby doll by its neck with a piece of string, according to a statement released Thursday by the school district.

The incident took place last week at the Minneapolis public school and was recorded by students and captured on school security cameras. Images also surfaced on social media websites.

News Cut: Racism at Washburn

"We took immediate action on Friday, January 11, to address the situation," according to the MPS statement, which called the students' actions "an incident of racial intolerance."

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District officials did not name the students involved or provide information about who posted the images online. The statement said the four students "were involved to varying degrees."

District officials declined to provide specific information about any disciplinary actions taken, citing student privacy.

"We do not accept racial intolerance in our school district," the statement said. "We are following the school district's code of conduct in addressing the inappropriate behavior. We are also seeking opportunities for these students to take responsibility for their actions through restorative measures."

Counselors, district staff and community partners will be available for students upset by the incident, which the district acknowledged "may cause feelings of anger and humiliation for some students."