Authorities have announced criminal charges against seven juveniles following a violent incident near a Chicago elementary school last month.
The assault occurred on November 17 in the afternoon near 106th Street and Bensley Avenue, close to Orville T. Bright Elementary School on the city's South Side.
According to police reports, a 33-year-old woman and a 9-year-old boy were both transported to Trinity Hospital with serious injuries following the attack.
Those facing battery charges include three 10-year-old boys, a 10-year-old girl, an 11-year-old girl, a 12-year-old boy, and a 13-year-old girl. All were provided counseling services and subsequently released from custody.
The victim, Corshawnda Hatter, described her experience to local media, stating, "So much pain, emotional, physical, I'm not feeling good at all."
Hatter revealed she had reported bullying concerns regarding her son to school officials for two years prior to the incident. "For two years, and they have not done a thing," she explained. "They see me coming they will run or tell security to tell me they are not there."
Chicago Public Schools responded with a statement: "Chicago Public Schools (CPS) prioritizes the safety and well being of our students, staff, and families, and we are committed to building a physically and emotionally safe teaching and learning environment in every school."
The statement continued: "We are horrified by the attack on this family, and we are working collaboratively with City departments and agencies to provide support to the victims of the attack. CPS is coordinating closely with the Mayor's Office, CPD, CHA, and other City departments to provide additional support to the family."
Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed concern about the incident: "I was deeply disturbed to see the video of young people attacking a mother and her child on the Far South Side yesterday afternoon. That type of behavior is unacceptable in our city and we must not normalize that type of senseless violence."
The mayor added: "It is critical that we provide the necessary resources to our public education system so that every school community has counselors and mental health professionals. We must redouble our efforts to teach our young people that violence is never an acceptable response."
The Chicago Teachers Union also issued remarks: "We're as saddened as anyone to see parents and students suffer violence. Every family should show up to school knowing they'll be safe, loved, and cared for and every educator and community member should be equipped with the resources to foster a beloved community."
The union statement further noted: "What has proven to effectively work to reduce violence in our communities and at schools is exactly what is missing from Bright: safe passage workers, restorative justice coordination, and after-school programming that engages young people and nurtures their interests."
