An altercation at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Riviera Beach has led to a 7th-grade student withdrawing from the school and prompted his mother, Jairishiela Gomez, to seek clarity on the incident. On Aug. 29, a typical school stairwell transformed into a scene of violence as the boy was flung down the steps and kicked in the head by another student, an incident captured on video later that day, according to a report by NBC Miami.
Jairishiela Gomez was initially unsure why her son came home visibly injured and distressed. She only learned the full details after another parent shared a video with her. "I saw the video and I was like, this is terrible," she told NBC Miami. The attack stemmed from a conflict that began when the assailant took her son's school ID a week earlier, and the promised mediation never happened.
The school's response was delayed, with no communication until September 3, five days after the assault. The assistant principal then informed Gomez that the aggressor would receive only a one-week suspension, according to NBC Miami. This incident was not the first instance of bullying for Gomez's son, who has ADHD. "I just need answers because there’s no way that this can continue to happen," Gomez said. "My son can’t even sleep."
Following the incident, the Palm Beach County School District issued a statement saying, "This matter is under investigation. The school district is committed to ensuring a safe learning and working environment for all students and staff, including having a school counselor and behavioral health professional available to students on every campus. Students who violate the district’s student code of conduct policy are subject to disciplinary action for any infraction that poses a threat to school safety." This assurance contrasts with the situation faced by Gomez and her son, who no longer attends the school, according to WPTV. Additionally, a GoFundMe has been set up to help the traumatized student receive therapy.
