An eight-year-old girl was thrown out of a Christian school after she told another female student that she fancied her, according to her mother.
Speaking to CNN, Mum Delanie Shelton explained how her daughter Chloe - a second grader at Rejoice Christian School in Owasso, Oklahoma - told another female student she had a crush on her last week.
As a result, Chloe was immediately removed from the playground, and had to spend the next few hours in the principal's office, in turn missing class time.
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Later that day, Delanie took Chloe home and was told by administrators not to bring her back until Friday.
Delanie said: "Before I was even called, the vice principal told Chloe that the Bible says that women can only have children with a man.
"[The vice principal] asked me how I feel about girls liking girls and I told her that I see no issue with it."
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However, the next day, the school's superintendent called Delanie and told her the school was 'ending their partnership' with the Shelton family, also expelling her five-year-old son.
When Delanie asked for more specific information, the superintendent simply said her beliefs didn't align with theirs.
Delanie continued: "I was so blindsided. I was angry, hurt, betrayed, sad... so many different emotions. I just couldn't believe it.
"I asked him to have a sit down meeting to discuss it and process it better and he refused, saying that 'nothing more needed to be discussed'."
Superintendent Joel Pepin has declined to publicly comment, saying in a statement provided to CNN: "Due to privacy and other factors, it is the school's policy to refrain from public comments regarding any particular student or family."
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The school's handbook states that 'any form of sexual immorality' goes against its beliefs, and that this includes 'professing to be homosexual/bisexual'.
The handbook also says that students who don't 'conform to the standards and ideals of work and life' at the school will forfeit the 'privilege' of attendance.
Pregnancy is also grounds for dismissal, although students are allowed to instead be 'placed on homebound' so that others aren't 'drawn by bad example to do likewise'.
Defending her daughter, Delanie said: "It wasn't a relationship nor a practice. Just a crush. To an 8-year-old, that could just mean that she really enjoys playing on the playground with her."
After being expelled, Chloe has received more than 150 supportive messages from people all over the US, Delanie said.
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"She's feeling so loved and supported now because of so many amazing people that have reached out to us," she added.
"She's excited for a fresh start at a new school."
LADbible has reached out to Rejoice Christian School for comment.
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Featured Image Credit: Fox