Parents of 7-year-old black student demand answers after child was ‘hanged’ and injured in school bathroom – Essence

Charles County Sheriff’s Office Maryland is investigating an incident in which an elementary school student was found hanging from a hook in a school bathroom. The incident took place on Friday, November 15.

According to the boy’s mother, who shared her story in a social media post and later spoke out WUSA News 9her son, a second grader, was “hanged” by a fourth grader in the boys’ bathroom at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, Maryland.

“The principal went to the bathroom and found my baby frothing at the mouth and unconscious,” she wrote. “I walked into the trauma room with eight to 10 doctors surrounding my son. This is the most heartbreaking and traumatizing situation my family has ever been in.”

She also expressed her anger and heartbreak, writing: “Everything about this is unacceptable; nothing about this is okay. BULLYING is never okay. I feel anger and see red, but my son is here by the grace of GOD, and I will be forever grateful! I still have so many questions unanswered.”

The boy’s parents, who wished to remain anonymous, told WUSA that their son had bruises on his neck and marks under his eyes. ‘He is traumatized. It will take time,” his mother said. “This isn’t something he can just get over overnight.”

In a letter to parents and staff on the day of the incident, Barnhart Elementary School Principal Carrie Burke called the situation “horse play.” She wrote that two students were playing in the bathroom when one of their coats got stuck on the hook of a stall door.

“The student was unable to free themselves, nor was the other student involved able to help them,” Burke explained. She added that the second student left to get help from staff, and administrators called 911 as a precaution.

On Nov. 18, Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro released a letter stating that the district investigation found no evidence that the incident was racially motivated or intentionally harmful. However, she acknowledged the seriousness of what had happened.

“Based on our investigation to date, we have no reason to believe this was race-related or that there was any intent for anyone to be injured,” Navarro wrote. “However, disciplinary consequences will be imposed under the CCPS Student Code of Conduct due to the serious nature of this incident.”

Navarro also said threats and disturbing rhetoric online have increased tension, prompting the school to call in additional police resources. She assured families that protocols for using restrooms, including sending students in pairs and monitoring hallways, had been reviewed with staff.

Still, the boy’s mother is not satisfied with the school’s explanation. She told WUSA, “It doesn’t make sense to me. How do you get hooked? I want answers, and we won’t stop until we get answers.

Neither student is currently at school. The 7-year-old’s mother told WTOP News that her son, who is still recovering, will not return to Barnhart Elementary.

“This is serious,” she told WJLA. “His face, his physical appearance is… I can’t even explain it. I don’t want to see my child like this.”

The district has announced plans to meet with the school community to address concerns and keep families informed about the investigation.