A video of two students brutally beating a 9-year-old student on a Florida school bus surfaced online, alarming the community and prompting a quick reaction from the girl’s parents.
The disturbing footage shows two boys repeatedly hitting the girl as she is bent over in a seat, barely holding back with one hand while she clutches her backpack with the other. Many of the blows land on the girl’s head, neck and face.
No fellow student or adult intervened to stop the brutal assault.
The third-grader’s heartbroken mother said she is pressing charges against the school, Coconut Palm K-8 Academy in Homestead, and is pursuing criminal charges against the assailants, according to Local News 10.
FLORIDA MOTHER FOUND DEAD ON STREET NEAR SUV WITH CHILD SLEEPING INSIDE IDENTIFIED, FAMILY SAYS PREGNANT
At least two students were seen on video beating a 9-year-old girl on a bus in Florida.
(Twitter/@HomesteadSocial)
“They sent me the video of my daughter being attacked by an older boy,” the mother, who wished to remain anonymous, told the outlet.
He also confirmed that at least two adults were on the bus at the time of the incident, including the bus driver and an attendant.
“All ages are on that bus, and it’s too crowded,” the mother told Local News 10. “It’s so crazy because there’s all this screaming on the bus and the two adults on the bus: the bus (driver) and the helper bus, just sit in the front.”
And this is not the first time that the mother has been alerted that her children are victims of bullying within the district.
“We have had problems before with my son and the children on the bus, and also in the cafeteria and at dismissal time,” the mother told the outlet. “I already drew the line, and I was also on the phone with the district, I spoke to someone from the district, and the only thing they could advise me was to continue to speak to the principal and file a harassment report.”
SHOOTING VEHICLE FOUND IN FLORIDA, POLICE HAVE ‘VERY PROMISING’ CLUES ABOUT SUSPECTS AFTER 11 INJURED
“You are taking care of our children, you are still responsible for them,” he continued. “That’s what you have a job for. Not just to teach them, but if you see something going on in your classroom, you don’t necessarily have to physically intervene, but call someone who can. Because if someone’s child ends up dead, it’s in the school”.
A student punches a third grader in a video that was later uploaded to social media.
(Twitter/@HomesteadSocial)
By pressing charges, the mother wants to ensure that no other parent has to suffer the same experience.
“My goal is not to incriminate any other child,” the mother said. “My goal is to make sure they have the safety of the children to make sure this doesn’t keep happening.”
DIVERS RECOVER NON-COMMITMENT CASE FROM FLORIDA, USE SONAR TO FIND A WOMAN’S UPWARDS CAR IN A POND
Another mother, who was also not identified, similarly told the outlet that she was “disappointed” by the outbreak of violence at the school.
“I am very upset and disappointed by the response that the children are now taking matters into their own hands with violence,” the other mother told Local 10 News. “This violence has to stop. It’s starting somewhere. Parents need to do more and pay more attention to their children who are causing these violent acts.”
A second student joins in the assault of a 9-year-old girl on a bus.
(Twitter/@HomesteadSocial)
Miami-Dade County Public Schools said “the offender” has been arrested and “will be charged accordingly.”
“Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is aware that multiple videos involving Coconut Palm K-8 Academy students are circulating on a social media platform, promoting prohibited unsafe conduct.” the school district said Thursday. “Miami-Dade Schools Police have arrested the offender and will be charged accordingly. Additionally, those involved will be disciplined in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. The safety and well-being of our students is of the utmost importance. This school district goes to great lengths to promote the values of moderation and respect, as well as the responsible use of social media. We ask parents to reinforce these principles at home.”
Miami-Dade Public Schools previously said it was focusing the month of February on spreading “kindness and compassion.”
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Miami-Dade County Public Schools continues to investigate the incident.
Fox News’ Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
