Back In October I did a story (kids and violence) of a 15 yr old boy name Michael Brewer who was set on fire by his classmates after they poured rubbing alcohol on him. The boys involved were arrested and changed with attempted murder. Michael is still recovering from the injuries as he was burned over 80% of his body. Here is a current photograph of Michael, as you can see he still has a long way to go
Now fast forward it to last week - SAME SCHOOL, which I might add is only 45 min from where I live, there was a 15 year old girl name Josie Lou Ratley that was basically beaten within a inch of her life. She is in critical condition and has had two brain surgeries one which they had to remove part of her skull.
She was beaten by a boy she never met. He was dating one of her friends who did not approve of their relationship. When a text message was sent he went home put on a pair of steel toe boots then went to the school and beat her by repeatably kicking her in the head (over 7 times). He was pulled off by a teacher and arrested. Also arrested was her friend who pointed her out to the boy and then watched as he beat her, nice friend huh?
So what is going on with kids? As a parent what do you say to your kids about violence? Two years ago my middle son was jumped right outside of school by a gang kid and beaten. I'll never forget the call I got from the paramedics treating him. We pressed charges against the boy. As a parent you do everything to protect your kids but sometimes it doesn't matter. My kids are in the best of schools, in a upper class neighborhood but it doesn't matter.
I really think schools need to have classes teaching kids how to deal with anger management. What do you think?
Well I know that his brother just committed suicide so I'm sure he was ultra sensitive and I guess the one girl brought that up in the text. HOWEVER that is NO excuse for what happened. I agree kids need to be talked to and parents need to be more active in their children s lives. The whole thing is so very tragic and so unnecessary. Sad scary times we live in.
The one girl Josie Ratley is starting to come out of her drug induced comma (she started on Easter Sunday) and is now breathing on her own. The Dr.s did say she did have some brain damage but no one knows to what extent. My heart breaks still for her family, so sad. I think this is every parents nightmare. If you were to ask me what would be my greatest fear it would be that something would happen to my kids. I can't imagine what this family is dealing with.
I also just now reading a story about murder victim Amanda Collette from April 2010, who was shot dead by some black lesbian friend of hers at school (for being rejected) and it is in the same SCHOOL DISTRICT as this school you are talking about. The article mentions the two cases that you mention.
I think if you allow your kids to go to school with blacks, and have black friends, this is the kind of crap that will happen. This never was happening 40 years ago; and Michael Brewer never would have had those 'kids' on his arse if he hadn't been associating with them in the first place.
Also if you hang out with trash and people who make fun of you for 'studying' or speaking properly, taunt you for not getting high or skipping school, then you begin to behave like them. It's horrible.
Single & Not Looking
That's horrible, I hope he rots. I don't know what's up with kids these days, I think a parent should really take the time to know their child, if they did they would know whether or not he/she is capable of something like this. I know my son couldn't hurt a fly, he's capable of defending himself but would never initiate violence. I'm not so sure if this is even an anger management issue although sending this monster to a class on it wouldn't hurt, I just think it runs deeper than that.