Most students worry about making it through their first days of school.
But for a 6-year-old girl the last days of school were some of the most terrifying.
The girl was just starting her school day when she was attacked by an 11-year-old girl Thursday about 10 a.m. inside a bathroom, David Foster, chief deputy with the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, said.
The incident happened at Oakland Elementary School in McDonough.
Foster said the 11-year-old cornered the younger girl in a bathroom, grabbed her hair, and struck her head on a toilet multiple times in an attempt to force the 6-year-old’s head in the toilet.
A teacher heard the girl’s screams and held the 11-year-old until a school resource officer arrived, Foster said. The girl’s mother took her to Piedmont Henry Hospital.
The 6-year-old, who managed to crawl under a stall to safety, suffered injuries to her face and head.
The 11-year-old was charged with false imprisonment, aggravated assault and battery through the Juvenile Court in Henry County, Foster said.
He is not sure of any past history between the two girls, but indicated bullying may not be a reason.
“There’s nothing we’re taking off the table yet, but nothing pointing us in that direction,” Foster said.
The 6-year-old’s parents told Channel 2 Action News they told the school system about the same 11-year-old girl a week ago.
“My daughter was threatened that if she got off the bus she would be beaten up on the bus,” Jeremy Tackett told Channel 2. “She was afraid to get off the bus and my wife actually had to get on the bus and get her.”
John Hardin, Henry County Schools’ spokesman, said the district is investigating the incident as well but also indicated bullying may not be a reason for the attack.
“Safety and security for students and staff is pretty paramount,” Hardin said. “We don’t take that lightly.”
According to the Henry County Schools 2015-2016 school year handbook, bullying is defined as any attempt or threat on a person creating bodily harm or fear. This can be through a written, verbal, or physical act.
Students caught bullying can face suspension, bullying or disciplinary hearing. Henry County Schools is still investigating the incident, so it is unclear what punishment the 11-year-old will face aside from criminal charges.
Hardin said in situations like this one, you want to be fair to all sides.
“You want to be sensitive to all sides, but want to let people know we’re a safe school,” Hardin said. “This was an isolated incident.”
Hardin encouraged bullied students to let someone know.
“We don’t condone or tolerate any violence,” he said.
But that may not be enough to console the 6-year-old girl and her parents.
“All she can think about is what happened to her,” Cheryl Tackett, the younger girl’s mom told Channel 2. “She has the images of the girl choking her.”
The Henry County Sheriff’s Office and school district are investigating the incident.
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