Disturbing footage of boy with down syndrome being attacked by Illinois high schoolers to be investigated
Warning: This article contains distressing information that could be triggering to some readers. Discretion is advised.
ELMHURST, ILLINOIS: A horrifying footage of a group of high school students attacking and bullying a boy with down syndrome at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois has surfaced.
The incident took place in the suburban Chicago high school bathroom where the attackers screamed, pushed the boy to the floor, and bullied him while other children cheered the group's unkind and sick act.
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On December 12, 2022, School District 205 officials confirmed that the distressing video where the bullies shout "get him" when the victim tries to escape by moving to a stall was circulated among other students of the school, reports the Chicago Tribune. The boy attends the York High School Transition Center, which provides learning for students with intellectual disabilities
Shahe Bagdasarian, Principal of the York Community School, told the news outlet, “Immediately upon receiving this report, our school team began investigating.” He added, “Parents were contacted and students were interviewed. Upon completion of the investigation by the school, appropriate consequences will be issued to those involved.”
In response to the incident, Superintendent Keisha Campbell told the Chicago Tribune, “We are deeply disappointed and saddened by the actions of this small group of students. Bullying, intimidation, and harassment diminish a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate. Such behaviors are not tolerated, and any student who chooses to engage in these behaviors will face the appropriate consequences.”
On December 11, 2022, parents were notified through email by Campbell explaining that while the boy was being attacked, many students stood and laughed at the scene. However, Cris O'Connell, the mother of the bullied victim, said that it was through Facebook that she came to know about the horrifying incident.
According to the Chicago Tribune, O'Connell, who was disappointed about the incident and the school authorities not informing her, said, “I have a lot of questions. Why didn’t I get the email? Why isn’t this being explained further to people, what the consequences are?”
“People are coming out left and right saying, I’ve tried to report this, my child has been bullied, my special needs child has gone through this, and nothing gets done about it,”
O'Connell added that parents, who are outraged by this incident, have also come forward and shared their experiences of being bullied in school. She said, “As bad as the situation is, and you wish it didn’t happen or someone stepped in and stopped it for the poor kid, there’s proof of it.”
The school's superintendent Campbell stated, “As we continue to work together to support our students, we are thankful for the people who have already reached out through our quick tip line to provide the district with additional information.”
She added, “The immediate and overwhelming response from the York community is a testament to the fact that the actions of a few do not represent the entire school,” while sharing that school resource officers of the police department have been in contact with the victim's family. Their investigation of the disturbing incident is underway.