The Missouri teen, a 15-year-old named Kaylee, who was gravely injured when another teenage girl forcefully slammed her head onto the ground during a widely documented altercation, has been identified as the victim.
Describing Kaylee's ordeal, the fundraiser's description underscores her valiant struggle for survival and recovery, emphasizing the daunting challenges ahead.
Missouri Teen Bullied in High School Brawl
Following the assault, a close friend disclosed that Kaylee is currently grappling with severe brain bleeding and swelling, painting a grim picture of her condition.
The full extent of the damage remains uncertain until she regains consciousness, but the road to recovery is expected to be fraught with challenges for her family, both emotionally and financially. As donations pour in, the fundraiser on GoFundMe has reached almost $24,000 of its $40,000 goal as of Wednesday morning.
The incident unfolded during a chaotic altercation near Hazelwood High School in St. Louis County. In disturbing footage capturing the altercation, Kaylee and another unidentified girl can be seen engaging in a physical altercation, ultimately leading to Kaylee being violently shoved to the ground and repeatedly struck. The assailant resorted to hurling derogatory insults at Kaylee before viciously slamming her head onto the ground, rendering her motionless.
Upon the swift arrival of law enforcement, an unnamed 15-year-old girl was promptly taken into custody, with investigations currently ongoing into the matter.
In response to the distressing incident, legislators have been vocal in calling for severe consequences for the perpetrator.
Expressing profound gratitude for the overwhelming support, Kaylee's family shared their heartfelt anguish, recounting the traumatic aftermath following the assault. They shed light on the agonizing moments when Kaylee lay unattended until the arrival of emergency medical services.
With Kaylee's critical condition at the forefront, they highlighted the immense emotional and financial strain accompanying her journey towards recovery.
Despite the daunting challenges ahead, the family remains resolute in their unwavering support for Kaylee, clinging to hope for her eventual rehabilitation.
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Demand for Accountability and Push for Enhanced School Safety Protocols
In response to the violent incident, Attorney General Andrew Bailey has urged that the 15-year-old girl responsible for the assault be treated as an adult in the legal proceedings.
Bailey emphasized the gravity of the situation, denouncing the act as a blatant disregard for human life and expressing sympathy for the victim. He stressed the need for accountability, asserting that should the victim succumb to their injuries, the charges should escalate to homicide.
Following the altercation, Hazelwood East High School students were compelled to leave early on Monday as authorities probed multiple threats linked to the viral video depicting the altercation.
The altercation unfolded around 2:30 pm on Friday in close proximity to Hazelwood High School, with footage circulating on social media capturing the assailant repeatedly striking the victim's head against the concrete. The victim exhibited signs of distress, with bystanders observing what appeared to be a seizure amidst the chaotic brawl.
Law enforcement discovered the victim suffering from severe head injuries near the intersection of Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, a short distance from the high school campus.
The victim was promptly transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition. A 15-year-old girl was apprehended on Saturday and charged with assault, subsequently appearing in the St. Louis County Family Court.
The St. Louis County Police Department is actively investigating the incident. In light of the distressing event, the Hazelwood School District issued a statement condemning violence within the community.
The district expressed condolences to all affected parties and pledged to provide additional emotional support through their crisis team.
Urging community members to show empathy and collaborate towards community improvement, the statement emphasized the need to address issues of bullying and violence for the well-being of all children.
The district faced criticism recently for disenrolling over three dozen middle school students in late February and early March. According to the district's public relations director, Jordyn Elston, the decision was attributed to outdated residency information. However, the majority of affected students were promptly re-enrolled after updating their information within a week, the district clarified.
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