A Bronzeville mother says her 6-year-old first-grader was surrounded and beaten by classmates, and she is accusing the school of keeping key surveillance video under wraps. The boy was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital for evaluation and is still out of school while doctors track his recovery. His mother says she is pressing school leaders to alert other families and hold the students involved accountable.
Mother describes repeated bullying and a bruising attack
Leslie McLaurin told reporters that her son has been bullied more than once, coming home with bruises and naming classmates he says “hit him” while taunting him with slurs such as “monkey” and “dummy.” She says she was notified about the most recent incident the day before Thanksgiving break. Since then, she says she has pushed school officials to contact the other parents, replace items she says were damaged, and impose consequences on the students involved. As reported by FOX 32, McLaurin says she plans to keep demanding answers while her son recovers at home.
School says footage is for “administrative review”
According to McLaurin, the school followed up with an email saying that her son “was the initiator” in the incident and that the surveillance video “is for administrative review only.” The message stated that the recording could not be released to parents due to student privacy rules, but that it would be preserved for the district’s review. Chicago Public Schools issued a statement saying it prioritizes student safety, is reviewing what happened, and will follow relevant policies and procedures as the investigation moves forward, FOX 32 reported.
What CPS policy requires
Chicago Public Schools’ Board policy on “Addressing Bullying and Bias-Based Behaviors” treats bullying as a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and requires schools to notify families in a timely way when incidents occur. The policy outlines steps to investigate and address bullying, directs school leaders to provide support and restorative approaches for students who are harmed, and encourages staff to collaborate with families to prevent future incidents. As outlined by Chicago Public Schools, principals and staff are expected to respond to confirmed violations and support affected students.
Why districts sometimes withhold recordings
Federal guidance notes that videotapes maintained by schools can qualify as education records under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA. When multiple students appear in a video, that can complicate what schools are allowed to share, sometimes requiring redaction or tightly controlled viewing instead of handing over a copy. If removing or blurring other students would “destroy the meaning” of the recording, the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance says parents should at least be given a chance to inspect the video rather than receiving an unredacted copy. For more on how districts balance safety and privacy, see the U.S. Department of Education’s resources on student privacy and videotapes.
What comes next for the family
McLaurin says she intends to keep pushing for outreach to other parents, accountability for the students involved, and restitution for damaged items while her son heals. CPS says it is reviewing the case and will follow district procedures. The family has not said whether it plans to pursue legal action. For now, McLaurin’s son remains at home as doctors monitor his recovery and the district decides its next steps.
Support and resources
Families looking for help with bullying or school safety can turn to district guidance and school-based supports through the CPS Office of Social and Emotional Learning, which oversees restorative practices and support for students who have been harmed. Parents are encouraged to bring concerns directly to school leaders and the district so incidents are formally logged and addressed under the Student Code of Conduct. As investigations unfold, federal privacy rules and local policies influence how evidence, such as video, is preserved and who is allowed to view it.
