A student at American Heritage Academy in Cottonwood was removed from school and arrested after assaulting a 13-year-old fellow student. The victim is under observation at a Phoenix hospital for a possible ruptured spleen.
The Yavapai Sheriff's Office was called to American Heritage Academy on East Cherry Street at mid-afternoon Wednesday. They had been contacted by the mother of a 13-year-old boy who was taken to the Verde Valley Medical Center early that morning for treatment of injuries to the abdomen.
Investigating officers learned that a 14-year-old boy had attacked the 13-year-old in the hallway of the school near the gym and that a staff member and other students had witnessed the attack.
Emergency crews were called for the younger student, while staff detained the 14-year-old for questioning. They found that the suspect had punched the 13-year-old in the mid-section, apparently without provocation, though an investigation continues.
The Sheriff's Office says the school asked the suspect's mother to remove him from school. Deputies interviewed him at home and then charged him with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and disruption of school activities.
The victim remains under observation in Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Reader Comments
Posted: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Article comment by:
Reputation first?
I ABSOLUTELY AGREE WITH THIS FIRST COMMENT, REPUTATION MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE CHILDREN'S SAFETY???
Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Mother had to call Sheriff's Office
I would like to know why if a student was assaulted on school grounds and his injuries were severe enough for school officials to call for paramedics, why did they not call for police to investigate? The victim's mother made the call. I will tell you as a parent, I would be all kinds of upset! I hope the victim's parents seek good representation!
