r/Assistance • u/southerngirlsrock • Nov 21 '23
ADVICE My 16yr old was attacked by a group of teenagers.
It was as they got off the school bus. He was punched in the head over and over, he was taken to the ground and kicked in the head. He didn't strike out, he never touched anyone. There were 3 actually hitting and kicking him. One was recording and others were watching. They posted a video of it on Instagram and an adult male witnessed it all and saved my kid. Two of the others were trying to follow him home and the adult got him in his truck and brought him home to us.
He's 16, 5'10 and 220 lbs. The school suspended the other kids, but we don't know anything elseand they received a citation from the school's RSO which means they will go to court.
His glasses were broken pretty bad and he had a very bad headache for 2 weeks (this happened on November 2nd) but no concussion (checked at hospital).
He is not returning to that school. They know this and I am withdrawing him as soon as they will let me.
He walked away. The kid in Las Vegas couldn't. Had he been a smaller kid... had he not tucked his head... had they had not been stopped...
I want to sue these asshole's parents but after many phone calls... I can't find a lawyer to sit down with me for less than $350.
I've tried everything i know to try. Legal aid. reaching out to lawyers. I just need one who will take their money if we win. I HAVE PERFECT VIDEO EVIDENCE. There is NO possible way they can say these weren't their kids.
I just... I don't know what to do. Thank God for the Nextdoor app. So much love and community support. A man made my son a few monkey fists to carry. I have another willing to teach him self defense at a lower cost and come to our home. We even have a lady coming to take us to get him new glasses on Wednesday He's going to be ok. But he was extremely lucky. I am so blessed I'm not in the same situation as a certain mom in Las Vegas. These kids need to learn. Their parents need to be held accountable as well.
ETA - I was told that I could call the victims advocate this week. That it takes 2 weeks for minors to get into the system. I have tons them I want too press charges but I haven't heard anybody
edited - trying to make it not a wall of words
edited again because I couldn't copy and paste to post in the legal subreddit
30
u/Large_Watercress3874 REGISTERED Nov 21 '23
Hold the school and the parents accountable. In my state the bus stop is considered school property so if anything happens before or after school there they can be held liable. Look at the legal advice threads on reddit and reach out there. Someone may have better resources there.
7
24
u/hobbitsailwench Nov 21 '23 edited Nov 21 '23
Random: Bus stops count as school property (I know bc I got in a fight in elementary school at bus stop & had detention). The school could still be held liable along with the parents!
That is ridiculous! With that kind of evidence, there are lawyers that would jump at the chance. DO NOT GIVE UP!!!! can you look up a pro bono lawyer?
6
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
I've tried. I completely agree with you
7
u/Juicebox-shakur Nov 21 '23
Have you filed a police report on your own, not through the schools resource officer? I think this should be your next step if you haven't done that yet. I'm so sorry for your son. I hope that he is okay.
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
I was told by the police department that they are short staffed and the RSO would have more connections and resources, just to let him handle it
3
u/hobbitsailwench Nov 22 '23
I'd still push to get an actual police report. You can explain that the rso would try to cover it up, and this might be a lawsuit against the school. You need a document trail and More is better.
When you find a lawyer that will take this case, this is an easy win!
6
u/Juicebox-shakur Nov 22 '23
Yeah I'm gonna have to agree with this. Do not take the RSO's word or that of the initial officer you talked to. Pursue this. We have assault laws for a reason.
Minors absolutely CAN and be charged with assault... Murder and whatever else. They did more than just bully your son. This wasn't just shoving and shouting match in the hallway. Make a report with the actual cops. Make them do their job.
1
23
u/Wyndspirit95 Nov 21 '23
Hold up…how are the actual police not involved. These kids should be arrested on at least assault and battery charges. If they are found guilty, it would definitely help a civil case too. Go the lawyer subreddit and state your location and see if anyone might be willing to take your case on contingency or even do a search for a legal subreddit dedicated to your area to ask. I’m so sorry this happened to your son but glad that he’s ok. I’d be going scorched earth if I were in your shoes too.
9
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
ok I'm posting there too as soon as I'm off work
I'm trying everything I can. I'm following all the advice. I would do anything for him.
3
u/Wyndspirit95 Nov 22 '23
Yes, that is really clear. My comment was more regarding the police and prosecutors in your city. You only mentioned school police so I’m under the impression the actual police are doing nothing about this travesty. You are doing good! Stay strong and get justice for your boy! Those cretins and their parents definitely need to be held accountable or they’ll just keep escalating.
1
24
u/holmesisonthecase Nov 22 '23
I'm a litigation paralegal. I'm NOT a lawyer in any way shape or form. I suggest you call your local bar association. They will be able to direct you to the type of attorney you need and most firms that register with the bar association for these referrals will provide either a free or low cost consultation.
That being said, you may just have to prepare to pay for an hours worth of an attorneys time for the consultation. I would suggest doing your research and making sure that if you move forward with a paid consultation that it's with a firm you'd actually hire.
I'm so very sorry this happened to your kid. That's so unacceptable. I wish you and him peace and healing in the future.
I have to say this one more time... I'm NOT a lawyer and I'm NOT giving you legal advice in any way.
1
18
u/tehereoeweaeweaey Nov 21 '23
Call 211 and ask for resources in getting a pro bono/free/low cost lawyer specializing in assault cases.
6
17
u/Accomplished_Poetry4 Nov 21 '23
Yes. Make it a criminal case. That's assault.
11
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
3rd degree assault... they "can't" arrest them because they are minors. But they won't be in a year one of them less than a year. They will do this again too someone else's kids
9
16
u/terf-genocide Nov 21 '23
It is not too late to call the police if you haven't already. The video evidence is good, but you need to start a paper trail with a police report.
7
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
I have talked to them. the RSO has all the paperwork. the police said to let him handle it
13
u/CatsAreTheBest2 Nov 21 '23
Hell, I would call the local news and make an extinct that the police don’t seem to give a shit or the school doesn’t seem to give a shit about minors.
9
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
I have emailed and tagged the news in my posts over several social media pages but I'll call them.
5
u/terf-genocide Nov 21 '23
I just want to say that you're a good mom for pursuing this so diligently. Good luck.
1
2
u/Bestyoucanbe4 Nov 22 '23
Create a good fund me for money to hire attorney
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
I really can't. we had one going for us when we moved from Florida to Colorado in July. no one I know can donate
1
1
16
u/informationseeker8 Nov 21 '23
Have you gone to the news?
Editing to add- is your child ok with making a bigger deal if everything. Ps sending you and them love and healing
edit#2- was this on school property?
2
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
he's not really comfortable with it but he doesn't want this to happen to another kid
2
u/informationseeker8 Nov 23 '23
Gotcha! I figured. While totally different my daughter had an issue with bullying randomly one night about 14 months ago. Just out of nowhere. It was awful. Thankfully school was out and it was a group chat convo where cowards tore her to shreds. All sorts of lies, telling her to kill herself( this was some fake account), tearing apart her looks. Ugh it was a devastating 2 days but then stopped. I wanted to m****r every last one. However she explained to me(mixed with my own knowledge from what I’ve seen) that I would just make it worse by contacting police etc. Thankfully it never got physical and never went real life in school etc bc that was where I drew the line. If it continued I was going scorched earth. What I did was take her phone and let all the little aholes know I screen recorded everything and it was me watching the entire time. Everyone panicked. Then again these were literal kids about to enter 9th grade and mine was entering 8th. Different schools but same district. The school should privately give you and your son the option of him continuing or them continuing. I would ask son to id at minimum to you all the kids and the ring leader. There always is one and then the rest are idiots usually. Please let your son know he has so much support ❤️
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
thank you so much. I'm so sorry that happened to your daughter. kids are do mean
1
u/BeckyAnn6879 REGISTERED Nov 22 '23
was this on school property?
they just got off the bus, so technically no.
However, it doesn't matter. I got in trouble for flipping a friend off IN MY DRIVEWAY.
We were bickering on the bus and when I got off, I walked WELL onto my property (in the driveway, near the walkway to our door) and flipped my friend off.
Next day, *I* got in trouble for flipping the bird, and when I said I was on my property, the teacher said it didn't matter and I was doing SSR for both recesses that day.2
u/informationseeker8 Nov 22 '23
Ok thanks. I was asking if it was on school property bc she mentioned the SRO etc. I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t the school trying to cover stuff up. You would be shocked how much kids get away with at school and the violence and drugs. Im talking in like the burbs w A+ ratings. Not saying it should matter one way or another but sometimes people assume if things are bad it’s a bad area etc. A suspension is not enough for an unprovoked jumping by multiple animals imo. Thanks for the response.
1
u/BeckyAnn6879 REGISTERED Nov 22 '23
I would think the fight was started on the bus, and continued off it... that's why the SRO is/was involved.
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
it was at the bus stop so.... kinda. I have not cashed the news yet but I'm going to Friday morning. I have emailed them and tagged them in social media but I will call
14
u/ConfidentCat238 Nov 22 '23
Yes for sure the parents need to be held accountable. That just sickens me to the core them bullies obviously don’t get grounded they need some jail time and forced to watch what could happen doing such a stupid thing . Forced to watch on video other cases. This is not ok
1
12
11
u/Economy_Writing_8797 Nov 21 '23
This is terrible, I’m so sorry! Those kids shouldn’t be able to walk away from this. Have you tried sharing this in r/legaladvice?
5
12
u/doctoralstudent1 Nov 21 '23
Look for a lawyer that will accept contingent-based fees, meaning he gets nothing unless you win. With the video evidence, you have to be able to find someone to take your case. Its time that parents are held accountable for their children's behavior. It has been my experience that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
2
10
u/sansabeltedcow Nov 21 '23
I’m so sorry. This is absolutely enraging.
Have you spoken to the police about criminal prosecution yourself? I wouldn’t just leave it to the school. The cold truth is that a lawsuit is about financial compensation, and the reason you’re not getting lawyer interest is likely because they don’t see much chance of winning enough money for the third or so they take of the winnings to be worth the effort. That’s why I’d focus on the criminal prosecution.
6
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
I have told them I want to press charges, but I forgot to put it in my post. I just edited it. I have heard nothing else. But I am going to call here in a few minutes
4
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 21 '23
And I guess I know that's why no lawyers will help it's just.... frustrating.
10
u/Kooky-Football-3953 Nov 21 '23
You should be able to press charges through the school resource officer. If that doesn’t work I’d take it to the school board directly and maybe also go above the resource officer and directly to the police station.
3
10
u/monaegely Nov 22 '23
Some lawyers take a certain % of their cases pro bono. Since this has been in the news lately, you might find someone to take your case.
1
u/Dragonflies3 Nov 22 '23
Normally personal injury attorneys going after insurance or big corporations.
1
8
u/Early-Medium-3374 Nov 21 '23
This is beyond terrible 💔. Praying for justice for your child 🙏🏾 💜
1
1
6
u/Puzzleheaded-One-546 Nov 21 '23
Wow this is horrible I’m so sorry. When I was a teen my glasses got smashed in a mosh pit, I had never been so disoriented. I had nightmares for years about loosing my glasses (without them I get horrible migraines n can’t see) and that was my own accident I wasn’t attacked like your boy :( I couldn’t even fathom the fear he was feeling. These kids deserve to face repercussions, they may be young but you can’t go through life being violent and getting away with it. Hoping you and your boy get justice. ❤️
4
5
u/Princess-She-ra Nov 21 '23
This is horrible. I don't have any advice but wanted to send you and your son some hugs.
4
20
u/coastalbendsun Nov 21 '23 edited Nov 21 '23
Omg your poor baby. I'm praying for justice. I hope you can press charges. I have a 9th grader and if he did something like this to someone I would take him to be talked to by the police. I would take him out of school, remove the door from his room, make him sleep in the bathroom by the toilet just like he would have to do in jail. The other parents are hopefully bringing the hammer down on their kids.
I'm so sorry. My heart hurts for you and your son. Praying for justice. Thank God he's alive.
9
5
u/aardvarksauce Nov 22 '23
You did report this to the police, yes??
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
the schools RSO has everything. the police told me to let him handle it
2
u/8645113Twenty20 Nov 25 '23
DO NOT LISTEN TO THEM
RSO is BS. Their only goal is to protect the school, their employer; not your son
2
7
u/dmo99 Nov 21 '23
Fuckkn sue them yourself in small claims. Each and every one of them . You can do this. Get the names of each parent and do the research. Get the paperwork and then file. Why. Cause it’s a slam dunk. Most will probably settle way before. But you need to file. They won’t settle unless they know you are serious.
2
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
I'm not sure how to get the names. will there police give them to me?
2
u/dmo99 Nov 23 '23
Yea. School too. But police yes.,
1
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
the school won't give me names
1
1
u/8645113Twenty20 Nov 25 '23
Not if they're minors
I still don't know the names of my son's attackers and their faces were blurred out when I watched it
2
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 25 '23
I am so sorry. I don't know how to take them to small claims court without their names..
2
u/8645113Twenty20 Nov 25 '23
The only people you should be going after is the school because they're the only ones who have a duty to protect your child at all times until they are in your home. The bus stop and the bus is absolutely school property. And they know it do not give up. Do not be scared. You have nothing to lose. Find that personal injury lawyer who is not going to charge your child. Let them know that there's video. Don't give up. It took me 6 months to find a lawyer and it took 4 years from the date of the incident until the check was deposited in my son's account. They want you to go away. They want you to get that up. You need to be a pitbull mama.
2
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 25 '23
ok. I've got this!!
2
u/8645113Twenty20 Nov 25 '23
Yes you do. You're the ONLY one who will fight for your baby. Make a tiktok, post on nextdoor, Facebook... Whatever you gotta do
10
u/Dragonflies3 Nov 22 '23
I would try to go after the school system. Deeper pockets.
3
Nov 22 '23
Those are taxpayer pockets...not the school...taking money out of a school budget doesn't benefit anyone...sue the parents
2
u/Dragonflies3 Nov 22 '23
The parents are unlikely to have any money.
2
u/southerngirlsrock Nov 23 '23
they really probably don't. but it will show them they need to do something about the kids
1
u/Dragonflies3 Nov 23 '23
No lawyer is going to take your case on contingency if the party being sued doesn't have any money.
3
u/ichoosejif Nov 22 '23
preserve your evidence. Get the press involved. Find a personal injury attorney.
1
2
u/FlowerConnoisseur Nov 22 '23
God yes please do everything in your power to let those kids learn or something. Outrageous
1
3
Nov 23 '23
this is relatable...i feel for him. i'm so sorry. i remember i got ganged up on in a school bus by my bullies. i hope those jerks get what they deserve.
1
2
u/8645113Twenty20 Nov 25 '23
My son just won his settlement. I'm not sure where you are but I find a lawyer with a soul who doesn't charge children ANYTHING. I'm my state schools have Sovereign Immunity because they're run by the state and you can't sue the state
I didn't care. I didn't drop his suit and he received 5 figures.
You can do this. There's a video. Make sure they're aware you will play the video at trial. My son's attack was caught on the bus camera. The driver was complicit and using my child as bait in a kiddy fight club
He's finally out of the woods and dismissed PTSD but we're having a great year thus far
I'll pray for you son and yourself to receive justice. Don't let them win.
1
4
u/bissoumapants Nov 22 '23
There are plenty of ways to go about this. It really just depends what is acceptable to you.
1
-4
•
u/AssistanceMods Nov 21 '23
Hi all. This is an automated and general reminder to all that this post is an ADVICE post, not a Request. Please don't request, offer or accept financial or material assistance on this post.
u/southerngirlsrock, we have compiled a Wiki with tons of advice and helpful information, which we recommend you check out, too.
I'm a bot. This comment was posted automatically.