ERIE, Pa. (AP) — A 9-year-old girl was suspended after she brought a loaded handgun to her elementary school, authorities said.

Jefferson Elementary School officials said the fourth-grader brought the gun to school in her book bag Thursday, but never took it out or threatened anybody.

"I have never felt so empty as I did today," said John Linden, assistant superintendent of the Erie School District. "I'm so happy that we didn't have to deal with this incident in a different way."

She had not been charged with a crime Thursday, but prosecutors were considering charging her father, said Erie County District Attorney Brad Foulk.

The girl has been suspended for 10 days and will be transferred to another school if she is not expelled, Linden said.