Assault At School Question

[100%Disney]

My son is a senior in high school, he is 19 due to repeating a grade. He was in gym class a few days ago, playing basketball. Another boy shot a ball and it rebounded off the hoop, hitting a girl on top of the head. All the kids laughed, which I don't think was appropriate, including my son. The girl came after my son accusing him of hitting her with the ball. He denied hitting her and tried to walk away. She pursued him and shoved him against the wall and proceeded to grab his testicles and squeeze as hard as she could. He tried to push her off and the both tripped, falling to the floor. He tried to get up and she bit him, hard on the ribs. it broke the skin and he is still bruised and you can see the individual teeth marks 3 days later. He was able to get away and told he told her to back off.

He didn't tell us until late that night. He didn't report it at school either. His school has a zero tolerance policy and he was scared to get suspended, even though he didn't retaliate. His school also has quite a bullying/gang problem. He told me their saying is, "Snitches get stitches."

We went to the school the next morning and reported the whole incident to the assistant principal, the principal was in a meeting. He listened to my son's explanation and took pictures of the bite. He said he would need to question the girl and all the students in the class, because the substitute teacher had left the class unattended.

He questioned the girl, who said they were just playing. He told her that she was obviously not telling the truth and sent her back to class. He then questioned the other students. They all said my son did nothing other than try to get away from her. A few said it looked as if he had her in a head lock, but they couldn't really tell. My son was asked to tell the story again and was asked if he put her in a head lock. He said that he hadn't, that he was just hunched over trying to keep her from hurting his testicles any worse.

He was called in again today and asked to repeat the story to the principal. He told him the same things. The principal then says that they are in a touchy situation because the girl is 15 and there was no adult there.

I am really angry. It isn't my son's fault that he was assaulted or that the teacher wasn't there. I'm mad that the teacher left thirty kids alone in gym class. My son shouldn't have to be afraid of retaliation from other students, the school, or this girl's family if they decide they want to file a warrant on him as a grudge. I really don't care about her age, although the law will, she attacked him.

What should I do? Should I take a juvenile petition out on this girl? She was suspended for 5 days. Should I speak with an attorney? I will, money is tight, but I will do what's necessary. I'm sorry this is so long, just need some advice.

 

[whoopsiedoodle]

Holy cow I would be LIVID!! Maybe you should start with speaking directly with the principal? Talk to him specifically about the incident and what is going to happen from here on out. She was suspended for 5 days but allowed back at school? Is there going to be further punishment or is it just left at that? If he doesn't or can't give you the answers you want and the reassurance you need then I would definitely speak with an attorney just to cover your bases. Perhaps you can even find one who can talk to you without charging you unless you actually need them?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

At this point, I'd say do nothing. Sounds like the girl knows she was wrong & also knows she got away with it. The witnesses back up your son's story, so I wouldn't expect anything more to come of it.

 

[LJSquishy]

First, where was the gym teacher??

I would just let it go. School is almost over for him and it was just a scuffle, not anything truly serious. I'm quite surprised a guy and a girl would get into it in the first place but it sounds like that is quite a unique school. lol

 

[LuLuO]

First, where was the gym teacher??

I would just let it go. School is almost over for him and it was just a scuffle, not anything truly serious. I'm quite surprised a guy and a girl would get into it in the first place but it sounds like that is quite a unique school. lol

What's with the "lol" at the end of your post? He was attacked. Nothing funny about that.

 

[marsha123]

i would be worried about the bite and broken skin. the girl sounds crazy no telling what diseases she has.

 

[100%Disney]

They had a substitute teacher and she left the class to go to the office, which I have a problem with. If she had been there he probably wouldn't have been assaulted.

My son was taught to never hit girls. He is almost 6 feet tall and 175lbs. He just tried to get her off of him and he sustained injuries because of it.

I understand school is almost over for him, but he deserves to be treated with respect.

The day after the incident, after the assistant pricipal let the girl know she was in pretty big trouble for biting my son, she told my son that he had hit her and split the inside of her lip. I find that interesting, considering she had just told the assistant principal that nothing happened and they were just playing around. If her lip was split, I'm sure she probably did it to herself while biting him. She also said that her whole lip had been swollen the night before and that her dad was super angry, wanting to come to the school and confront my son. I just don't trust them to let this all drop with her suspension. She is a varsity basketball player and this could hurt her being on the team.

My son still worries that he will get suspended because he thinks the principal is afraid of people thinking he's biased in this situation. I think it is all crap. My son was hurt. She obviously has anger management issues, even her basketball friends approached my son and told him she's a loose cannon.

He just wants to get through the year. He plans to join the navy and he worries how this could affect him.

 

[100%Disney]

i would be worried about the bite and broken skin. the girl sounds crazy no telling what diseases she has.

I took him to the doctor the next afternoon to have it checked and to have it notated in his medical chart. The doctor said to watch the bite for any signs of infection, but since his shirt was a barrier, it will probably be fine. He has had his Hepatitis shots and is up to date on his tetanus as well. I still worry though.

 

[megsoro]

My son is a senior in high school, he is 19 due to repeating a grade. He was in gym class a few days ago, playing basketball. Another boy shot a ball and it rebounded off the hoop, hitting a girl on top of the head. All the kids laughed, which I don't think was appropriate, including my son. The girl came after my son accusing him of hitting her with the ball. He denied hitting her and tried to walk away. She pursued him and shoved him against the wall and proceeded to grab his testicles and squeeze as hard as she could. He tried to push her off and the both tripped, falling to the floor.

That right there, in my old high school would be grounds for sexual assault. I don't care the age difference- He could press charges against her for it! I would be following up on that issue! That is unacceptable and worse than the biting IMO.

 

[LuLuO]

She was suspended starting today, for 5 days, but they are still questioning my son because the teacher wasn't there. It doesn't seem to matter to them that all the students said my son was innocent. The principal even told my son he would have to watch the security tapes. There are no cameras in that part of the gym. It ticks me off that he's trying to intimidate my son by saying that it's a sticky situation due to her age. And the bad thing is, a juvenile record is sealed, it wouldn't follow her or make trouble for her, but if she decided to get even by filing a warrant against my kid, it would follow him forever.

OP I would consult a lawyer and not allow your son to be questioned by anyone without you present. It seems you have a bad feeling that this is going to go further. Trust your gut.

 

[LuLuO]

Adding that I agree that this was a sexual assult and should be reported to the police. The school should also be treating it as such.

 

[Allison]

She was suspended starting today, for 5 days, but they are still questioning my son because the teacher wasn't there. It doesn't seem to matter to them that all the students said my son was innocent. The principal even told my son he would have to watch the security tapes. There are no cameras in that part of the gym. It ticks me off that he's trying to intimidate my son by saying that it's a sticky situation due to her age. And the bad thing is, a juvenile record is sealed, it wouldn't follow her or make trouble for her, but if she decided to get even by filing a warrant against my kid, it would follow him forever.

I understand being upset about the age thing. But I agree the fact that your son is 19 and she is 15 could work against him. I hate to say it but I would worry that if you do anything further, the family will retaliate and could really make things difficult for your son. It's not fair and it is not right but that doesn't seem to be a problem for this girl. Think very carefully before going any further. I would hate for this to backfire on him if you pursue it. Good luck.

 

[Ccann]

I think you need at least a police report, and take your son for a complete medical physical. And have documentation a. You taking these actions now will help that your pro active. Even though your son is 19 and she is 15 you have witnesses, I would get several to make an official statement to the police.
Documents documents, and I think if you bring the police in the school will be scared and start doing the right thing. Right now they think it is a he said she said, but with police brought in they will realize this is serious.

 

[Minerva Mouse]

I say consult an attorney, that's really the only person who can advise you, and even then this could all south quick.

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm going to take the unpopular position and say "do nothing". Take care of your son's injuries. This was a school fight, the girl was suspended for 5 days, case closed.

 

[donaldlovesdaisy]

I'm going to take the unpopular position and say "do nothing". Take care of your son's injuries. This was a school fight, the girl was suspended for 5 days, case closed.

ITA but wow that girl sounds like she maybe a little unhinged. I am sorry but a normal logically thinking girl would never behave in such an irrational manner. I hope her parents get her to a doctor before she shows up to school with a gun.

 

[jrmasm]

I'm going to take the unpopular position and say "do nothing". Take care of your son's injuries. This was a school fight, the girl was suspended for 5 days, case closed.

That was my thought as well.

OP, what more are you looking for?

 

[100%Disney]

That was my thought as well.

OP, what more are you looking for?

I'm not looking for anything more. We weren't even looking to get the girl suspended. I just wanted the school aware of the situation in case she decided to try to get my son in trouble. We even told the assistant principal as much. It was the school's decision to suspend her. I am just concerned for my son. She is the one who stated that her dad was really angry and wanted to come to the school to confront my son. Wouldn't you be concerned? She obviously has anger issues, what if her dad is the same way? I don't want the girl punished further. I just don't want my son to be constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Kies99]

I would file a police report ASAP.

He is 19 and she is 15. She could report it as an assault on her and it would be an assault on a minor. While it sounds to me like he'd not have issues if this was the case, do you really want to go through the hassle of dealing with that?

Agree with other posters that a) the girl seems a little unstable to begin with and b) you should at least consult an attorney.

 

[jrmasm]

I'm not looking for anything more. We weren't even looking to get the girl suspended. I just wanted the school aware of the situation in case she decided to try to get my son in trouble. We even told the assistant principal as much. It was the school's decision to suspend her. I am just concerned for my son. She is the one who stated that her dad was really angry and wanted to come to the school to confront my son. Wouldn't you be concerned? She obviously has anger issues, what if her dad is the same way? I don't want the girl punished further. I just don't want my son to be constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Who/when did she state that to? And is your son concern about retaliation? Or is more your concern? I know I worry about my kids way more than they worry about themselves.