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Post by casey on Feb 4, 2009 10:38:00 GMT -6
CBS 2 Most Popular Pages cbs2chicago.com/local/11.Year.Old.2.926217.html11-Year-Old Boy Assaulted; Classmates Charged Feb 3, 2009 10:55 pm US/Central 11-Year-Old Boy Assaulted; Classmates Charged Accused Attackers Still In Same School With Victim Reporting Dana Kozlov NAPERVILLE, Ill. (CBS) ¯ An 11-year-old Naperville boy says he was sexually assaulted by two of his classmates. The classmates are now facing felony charges. But they are still attending school with the alleged victim. CBS 2's Dana Kozlov has the exclusive story. "He has to face every day the people that violently sexually assaulted him," the victim's father said. "It's kind of like we're grieving. We're grieving for his innocence," the victim's mother said. There is no hiding this couple's outrage. In November, their son was at a friend's house when he says two of his classmates - just 11 and 12 years old themselves - stripped him of his clothes, tied him up and attacked him. "Evil is among you," the father said. "And what's most shocking is when it's not some dirty, old man - it's his classmates." All three boys are students at Gregory Middle School in Naperville, and despite being charged with criminal sexual assault and abuse, the alleged offenders still go to school every day with this couple's son. When asked why they are so angry, the boy's father said, "Because I think there's an expectation that when your children go to school, that every effort will be made to protect them from sex offenders. And I think it's clear that that's not the case." The boy's parents say they've repeatedly brought their concerns about the potentially hostile learning environment to Indian Prairie District 204 officials, but the only thing they've done is place the boys in separate classrooms. They say school officials tell them there's no district policy allowing for any further action because the alleged attack didn't happen at school.
But according to District 204's rules, there is a policy for threatening or intimidating a staff member off school grounds - and it could result in expulsion. A District 204 spokesperson wouldn't talk directly to CBS 2, but said in a statement that this is a police matter and they cannot discuss student discipline. But she did say in this matter that all the families involved were contacted and the appropriate action was taken to address and prioritize student safety. But the boy's parents see nothing appropriate about this. "The message that's being sent is do what you wish off school grounds, there'll be no penalties or punishments to you," the victim's mother said. Mark Metzger, District 204's school board president, couldn't talk specifics but said student discipline and actions depend on what the law allows. Metzger says in a matter like this, officials aren't permitted to do anything until the legal proceedings are over. The victim's parents, though, plan to address a school board meeting on Monday. |
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 10:42:31 GMT -6
Wow
just
wow
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Post by blankcheck on Feb 4, 2009 11:09:14 GMT -6
How sad. I don't know what to say. If I were the parents, I would ask for a restraining order
so the boys could not be in the same building.
Also,, where were the parents at the time this occured?
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Post by casey on Feb 4, 2009 11:53:33 GMT -6
I'd be surprised if there won't be legal action against Dr.D, the principal at Gregory MS as well as MM and the entire SB for doing nothing to protect the victim. Moving the other 2 boys to different classes  ? That certainly wouldn't do much to protect the victim or make him feel safer. The SB needs to develop a policy to prevent this from ever happening again. Heck, they have policies reprimanding kids for smoking, drinking, and drug use on non-school property during non-school hours but yet we have nothing in place for a kid that sexually abuses another? Huh? If this were an adult involved would they simply reassign the adult to a new room waiting for the legal system to supposedly work? I'd think not, so why do that to a child? As the story reported, the SB has a policy in place to protect teachers and staff from a student but nothing for a student to be protected from another student? That defies logic. Personally I'm glad that the victim's family brought this to the media. It should be exposed. Our school district should not just be sitting back waiting for the "legal proceedings" to take place. Something can and should be done. They need to explore the bullying policy as well as others. The great legal mind of MM should understand this better than most. |
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 11:57:42 GMT -6
One would have hoped that the parents of the 2 kids on the aggression side of the equation would have removed their kids from the system even if the school district did not.
I feel bad for the kid who has to go every day knowing those boys are there in the same building with him... How can you learn under those circumstances?
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Post by steckdad on Feb 4, 2009 12:05:18 GMT -6
One would have hoped that the parents of the 2 kids on the aggression side of the equation would have removed their kids from the system even if the school district did not. I feel bad for the kid who has to go every day knowing those boys are there in the same building with him... How can you learn under those circumstances? I don't blame the school for trying to stay high and dry from this one. I also don't blame them for assuming innocence before proven guilty. If they are guilty I am sure the boys will move out of district. If not, then it is up to 204 to expel IMO. |
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 12:17:44 GMT -6
One would have hoped that the parents of the 2 kids on the aggression side of the equation would have removed their kids from the system even if the school district did not. I feel bad for the kid who has to go every day knowing those boys are there in the same building with him... How can you learn under those circumstances? I don't blame the school for trying to stay high and dry from this one. I also don't blame them for assuming innocence before proven guilty. If they are guilty I am sure the boys will move out of district. If not, then it is up to 204 to expel IMO. Even kids who are not in the same classes tend to see or run into each other at other times during the day... This may step across the Mission Statement line: "Students learn best in a safe and caring environment;" gregory.ipsd.org/about_mission.aspRarely do incidents that happen outside of school remain outside of school with no splash damage inside the walls.... |
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 4, 2009 12:48:21 GMT -6
One would have hoped that the parents of the 2 kids on the aggression side of the equation would have removed their kids from the system even if the school district did not. I feel bad for the kid who has to go every day knowing those boys are there in the same building with him... How can you learn under those circumstances? I don't blame the school for trying to stay high and dry from this one. I also don't blame them for assuming innocence before proven guilty. If they are guilty I am sure the boys will move out of district. If not, then it is up to 204 to expel IMO. As totally disgusting as this case is - assuming all facts are true - I tend to agree that 204 really has it's hands tied in that it cannot create a law if you will - and should not comment further until whatever legal action is going to be taken occurs. Now maybe I'd offer to have the boy attend another MS school in the district - where he feels a safer environment until this all settles itself out - that way they are not passing judgement. Now I have to admit, if my kids in the school now- I am concerned about the two alleged perpertrators also... In today's litigious world however I can understand why we have to be careful. If we expel the two kids before they get a trial and they are found innocent - then what ? If we do nothing and something else happens to another student - then what? Just a horrible situation all the way around- it's a damned if you do- damned if you don't situation -- again I'd offer the victim a chance to change schools so he can learn until this settles itself out....and I'd make sure we keep an eye out at school on the two alleged perpertrators. |
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Post by cb on Feb 4, 2009 13:21:17 GMT -6
What's really going on here?
If my daughter is raped off of school property by two boys in her class she will be forced to attend school with them. The best they can offer is to send the VICTIM to another school. You've got to be kidding. What about the zero tolerance policy for bullying? Doesn't sexual assault or RAPE or being tied up and sexually assaulted by two of your classmates count?
If the police had enough evidence to charge them with criminal sexual assault, they should be out of school until the trial is over. We lock up adult rapists until their trials, the least you can do is remove the boys from the school.
I have to say this makes me VERY ANGRY!!!!!
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 13:23:00 GMT -6
Often times people are more worried about the perps than the victims... sad but true... Moving the victim to another school is adding salt to the emotional wounds already there, IMO.
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Post by doctorwho on Feb 4, 2009 13:52:08 GMT -6
What's really going on here? If my daughter is raped off of school property by two boys in her class she will be forced to attend school with them. The best they can offer is to send the VICTIM to another school. You've got to be kidding. What about the zero tolerance policy for bullying? Doesn't sexual assault or RAPE or being tied up and sexually assaulted by two of your classmates count? If the police had enough evidence to charge them with criminal sexual assault, they should be out of school until the trial is over. We lock up adult rapists until their trials, the least you can do is remove the boys from the school. I have to say this makes me VERY ANGRY!!!!! Just to be clear -- I don't disagree with the sentiment at all-- and would like the same thing- however until they are tried can we legally do that ? I am not an attorney, nor do I play one on TV - therefore I defer to some of those with legal backgrounds who post here. Can we do this without then later being sued for our actions ? If so- then yes- they should be out of school immediately. The ability to use the bullying school status I thought was restricted to school property. I only offered up the idea of changing schools for safety's sake- if our hands are otherwise legally tied. I hope that explains my position better - |
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 14:15:43 GMT -6
I'm curious what the legal exposure is for the school district if the victim is later attacked at school even after the school district was made aware of the dynamic and situational circumstances of the prior incident.
Personally, I'd pull my kids out if the district failed to do anything. You also potentially have N number of other kids who could be on the receiving end of further antics by these other 2 kids if they are allowed to stay at any school. Again, what are the legal ramifications? Claim the district had no idea of a potential problem and hope for the best?
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Post by slp on Feb 4, 2009 14:58:14 GMT -6
I feel the need to comment on this as I do know some of the details as I have a nephew at Gregory.
There are many disturbing elements to this story.
First , it was not only 2 kids involved. There were roughly 6 or so that "stood guard" as the others did what they did. Some of those kids are great kids and appear to have been caught up in something they had no idea was going to be so horrific.
The main perpetrator is a problemed child. They reference 2 kids involved but it is primarily 1 from my source. He is very threatening according to my sources and is a criminal in the making. This is somewhat well known by those that know the boy/family. That is why the victims' parents are most likely outraged. The school knows this kid can be 'trouble' but have to wait until he hurts someone on school grounds to do anything about it. That doesn't seem right.
Like most stories, there is definitely more to this one and it is really disturbing... from since this boy was very young.
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Post by Arch on Feb 4, 2009 15:00:10 GMT -6
Great.. kind of like you can not prove you need to put a traffic light at an intersection.....until someone actually dies. |
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Post by sashimi on Feb 4, 2009 15:06:12 GMT -6
Very complicated situation for the District (there is an important presumption of innocence). I understand the boys involved have been charged with felonies and it seems that if there is enough probable cause to criminally charge these kids, at the very least, the District should have a hearing to determine if there is cause to remove these kids from the school due to a safety concern towards other students (ie ask the police to share the evidence they have).
I think it is important to respect the rights of the accused students, but on the other hand, if there is sufficient evidence that they committed a felony against another student, these kids should be removed for the safety of all students. I know that it is different in that it occured on a school bus, but the District did not provide a trial for the child who was using a pocket knife to clean his nails before they expelled/suspended him from school.
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? That certainly wouldn't do much to protect the victim or make him feel safer. The SB needs to develop a policy to prevent this from ever happening again. Heck, they have policies reprimanding kids for smoking, drinking, and drug use on non-school property during non-school hours but yet we have nothing in place for a kid that sexually abuses another? Huh?
