A Perry Meridian High School student who was found guilty of assaulting a classmate in September has been given a suspended sentence with no time in juvenile detention. The assailed student was left with significant facial injuries and has not returned to school, facing a potentially long road of physical and psychiatric recovery. According to the family's attorneys, the student was also the victim of ongoing bullying prior to the September incident, as reported by FOX59.
This decision has sparked outrage among the victim's family and their attorneys who feel justice has not been served. "It’s awful what these children, who are almost adults, are doing and getting away with it," Tammy Meyer told FOX59. The assailant will be required to wear an ankle monitor and attend anger management classes, a sentence deemed insufficient by the victim's advocates. The case, lawyers argue, has alluded to broader issues within the Perry Meridian High School.
Concerns have risen about the safety in Perry Township Schools, with previous incidents like the assault of a substitute teacher in March also being brought to light. "This child is not the first child to be assaulted in that school and if things don’t change pretty dramatically, they’re not going to be the last child," Attorney Catherine Michael explained in a statement obtained by FOX59. The attorneys have called for more stringent safety measures in the school to prevent future violence.
In a separate statement obtained by WTHR, Meyer stressed the importance of a safe school environment and condemned the culture of violence within the school district. “Teachers and students have a right to a safe environment, and it is up to the schools to ensure that everyone — whether they are a student, teacher, or staff member — can feel safe in their schools,” she said. Following the assault, reports from several families have alleged a history of violence at Perry Meridian High School, calling for actions to be taken by school administrators, as per information from the attorneys’ release.
While the legal proceedings for juveniles in Indiana take place under a veil of privacy unless a minor is charged as an adult, the cases at Perry Meridian High School have notably captured public attention, indicating an alarming trend of school violence. The parents of the injured student maintain that their child was the unsuspecting victim of a violent hallway attack, a scenario echoed by several other families who have spoken out about similar experiences at the school. "When we talk to families during our investigation in this case what we hear reveals a long term and ongoing violent atmosphere within Perry Meridian High School, with frequent attacks, fights, bullying, and significant safety concerns raised by many students, parents, and staff," Meyer told WISHTV.
Perry Township Schools had not provided a statement regarding the incident or the subsequent sentencing as of the latest reports.
