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'This is despicable': Outrage as mental health advocate defends boy, 17, who attacked teacher's aide for seizing Nintendo Switch

Sue Urban who also has a special needs stepson in the same behavioral wing as the teen told that her stepson and the teen were 'school friends'

Warning: This content contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion is advised.

PALM COAST, FLORIDA: A mental health advocate, Sue Urban, has come out in defense of the 17-year-old 6ft boy, who was caught on camera brutally attacking and knocking a teaching aide unconscious. The boy reportedly was furious after the unnamed female teaching aide confiscated his Nintendo Switch. The unnamed student from Matanzas High School is currently in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice and may face up to five years for the attack. 

Urban's 17-year-old son, Nicholas, who died by suicide graduated from Matanzas High School, in Florida. In an emotional video, Urban said, "This is not this child's fault. He is not a threat." She further defended the boy who attacked the teaching aide, "This is a mental health issue. This is a problem with our system, it is broken."

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Urban, who also has a special needs stepson in the same behavioral wing as the teen in the video, told that her stepson and the boy were 'school friends,' albeit they were in different classes and that this particular wing is for 'children that are not in the general population of the high school'.

What did Sue Urban claim on Facebook live? 

Urban who became a mental health advocate after her son's death claimed, "That post needs to be removed from the Flagler County Sheriff's website immediately. That child has mental health issues. He is just that, a child." Urban also added, "That teacher - that paraprofessional - should have never been left alone in a situation where she could have been attacked." Urban then added she's "sick of these kids being labeled as a threat."

Urban further explained, "That child should not have been transported to jail, he should have been transported to a mental health facility. Please stop labeling this child as a monster. Yes, his size is a big factor, [but] he did not know he was doing wrong. These kids are given extra attention in those classes. They are given leeway to have these devices, so when they do lose their tempers or if they do get into that mental space, that they can have those Switches or phones or their comfort devices, [so] that they can calm down." "This is not just a thug. People need to be educated about children that have ESE [Exceptional Student Education]. They should also be educated on impulsive aggression behavior, and that most times these children do not understand the consequences of the behavior," she told Daily Mail.

What happened at Matanzas High School?

On Tuesday, February 21, the 17-year-old boy who weighs 270 pounds, attacked a female teaching aide after she took his Nintendo Switch. According to Sheriff Rick Staly, the teaching aide could have been killed. Staly claimed, "This could have been a homicide. When you push people down like that, they hit their head; you never know the outcome." Meanwhile, the victim is reportedly suffering from broken ribs and significant bruising. However, more details regarding the injuries are yet to be revealed.

"I believe she will be out of work for at least several weeks if she even plans on returning. The actions of this student are absolutely horrendous and completely uncalled for. We hope the victim will be able to recover, both mentally and physically, from this incident. Thankfully, students and staff members came to the victim’s aid before the SRDs could arrive. Our schools should be a safe place – for both employees and students," said Staly as per Fox News.

'FIRE The mental health advocates NOW '

The Internet quickly reacted to Urban's video in defense of the boy. A user said, "Trust me, I work in the mental health space. This is not mental health issues. This is anger and rage and violence. He needs to be locked away for a long time." "She has a right to her opinion and should be used as a character witness if need be by the family. I am angered by the video but fair justice is needed still," read a comment. A user stated, "Not a threat. Wonder if that was her or her daughter laying on the ground getting her face beaten in if she would feel the same." Another said, "FIRE The mental health advocates NOW . Call the school and give them your thoughts." A user stated, "The lies are so tiring. We need to reclaim responsibility." 

Another noted, "Earlier today, someone said that he has special needs. If that's true, then perhaps something can be taken from there. But even so, that doesn't justify attacking someone for taking your Switch, especially on school grounds." A user said, "OF COURSE they are, it’s not his fault, he can’t be accountable for his own actions." "He’s not a threat?? Charge him with attempted murder. This is despicable," claimed another. A user wrote, "Very disturbing.... No wonder we have no teachers." ""Not his fault." With that kind of utopian thinking, it's no wonder the school-to-prison pipeline continues," read a tweet. 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.