Mother who said son (7) was ‘hanged’ in boy’s bathroom asks questions about ‘horse play’ at school: ‘not right’

On November 20, 2024By Pranco

“We have no reason to believe this was race-related or that there was any intent to injure anyone,” the district superintendent said Nov. 18.

The Charles County Public Schools superintendent wrote in a letter to the school community on Nov. 18 that the hanging incident did not appear to be “race related.”
The second-grader’s mother claimed in an earlier social media post that her son was “hanged” by a fourth-grader in a boys’ bathroom at a Maryland school on Nov. 15.
The principal of C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School stated in an earlier letter that the incident allegedly involved “horse play.”

The superintendent of a Maryland school district has responded to an incident involving an alleged hanging at an elementary school in which a 7-year-old boy was injured and said what happened did not appear to be “race related.”

The boy’s mother said this in a post on social media and a subsequent interview with WUSA News 9The incident occurred on Friday, November 15, at her son’s school, later identified as C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Charles County.

She alleged that her son, a second grader, was “hung” in the boy’s bathroom by a fourth grader.

“The principal went to the bathroom and found my baby frothing at the mouth and unconscious,” the mother wrote in her post. “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.”

The mother also wrote in her post: “Everything about this is unacceptable, none of 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.”

In an interview with WUSA, the boy’s parents said their son was then left with “marks under his eyes” and “bruises on his neck from choking.”

‘He is traumatized. It will take time,” the boy’s mother told the newspaper. “This isn’t something he can just get over overnight.”

In a Nov. 15 letter to parents and staff following the incident, Carrie Burke, principal of C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, characterized what happened between the two students in the bathroom as “horse play.”

“Two of our students were reportedly riding horses in a school bathroom when a student’s jacket became stuck on the hook of a stable door,” Burke wrote.

“The student was unable to free themselves and the other student involved was unable to assist them,” the letter continued. “This student left the restroom to seek help from staff and reported the incident to administrators. Administrators responded and were able to assist, but staff called 911 for additional medical preventative support.”

Three days after the incident, Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro wrote in a letterthat was shared online by WTOP News, that the district is supporting the families of the students involved, and that the investigation is being handled by district and Barnhart administrators.

The 7-year-old victim was still recovering from the incident on November 18. WTOP News reported.

Both students are currently out of school, according to Navarro, who did not share any additional details. The 7-year-old boy’s mother told WTOP News that her son would not return.

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“As of November 18, we have collected additional statements from staff and students and completed a thorough review of the school’s CCTV footage,” the chief inspector said. “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. However, due to the serious nature of this incident, disciplinary consequences will be imposed under the CCPS Student Code of Conduct.”

Navarro added, “This morning, Barnhart administrators reviewed school staff protocols for student use of the restrooms. This includes ensuring that students travel in pairs to the toilets and reminding staff of existing protocols regarding corridor and bathroom monitoring.”

The chief also noted that there were “serious threats and disturbing rhetoric circulating online” following the attention the case has received, adding: “Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to have additional police resources at the school and support staff. external.”

Navarro concluded the letter by stating that she is working with Barnhart’s principal to arrange a meeting with the school community.

In response to the school district’s announcement of an investigation on Sunday, November 17, the mother said ABC affiliate WJLA that people must understand the seriousness of the situation.

“His face, his physical appearance is… I can’t even explain it. I don’t want to see my child like this,” the mother said.

As for the school’s claim about “horseplay,” the boy’s mother told WUSA that “it doesn’t make any sense to me.”

“How do you get hooked?” she added. “I want answers, and we won’t stop until we get answers.”

PEOPLE contacted the boy’s mother, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School Principal Carrie Burke and the Charles County Department of Emergency Services for comment on Nov. 18.