[AKA_Monet]

My mother would say that this child apparently are abuse--probably sexually. Most sexually abused children display behaviors that you have mentioned. And many of the wounds are not readily visible...

The fact that the parents are in denial about their child's behavior ought to tell you all that there probably is something going on in the home or somewhere in the child's life for the child to act out in that sort of behavior.

Most third graders are 8-9 years old??? So, how would an 8 year old want to see that "fish" die out of water or make another child "blue" in the face by strangulation--unless some older child (youth) or adult showed this child...

The point is that it may not necessarily be the parents--especially if they are hard working lower incomed... It may be one of the older sibilings that are physically or sexually hurting this child...

To solve this problem with minimal amount to drug intervention and to allow the parents to save face is to put this child into some heavy duty mentoring program with professional organizations that will teach this child appropriate behaviors... But with evaluation, the school psychologist and principal can make that determination along with the parents...

And unfortunately, it is out of your hands--you have done your job. And might I add, you have done it pretty well...