Two sisters are facing charges Thursday after an attack on a student on a school bus outside Putnam County Middle School in Eatonton.
A video on Channel 2 Action News shows the viciousness of the attack on 14-year-old Loriana Harrell. The two alleged attackers, ages 12 and 14, are not being identified.
Channel 2 spoke with Loriana about the attack. "I mean, she blindsided me. I was not expecting it, I was in shock," Loriana told Channel 2.
It happened on Sept. 15. Loriana said she was sitting on the bus texting when the one of the girls began punching her.
Loriana and her mother, Lisa Harrell, said they believe the attack was planned. "Someone should have stepped forward and try to stop it instead of filming it," Lisa Harrell said.
Loriana told Channel 2 at least two students posted cellphone video of the fight on Facebook.
"They are trying to humiliate me now,’ because I didn't win the fight," Loriana told Channel 2.
Since then, the videos have been removed. Lisa Harrell said she now plans to home-school her daughter.
"I'm scared for her. I do not want to send her back to school, and there have been other threats made to her, and I'm afraid it's going to happen again," Lisa Harrell told Channel 2.
Each sister involved in the fight is charged with simple battery, affray or fighting and disruption of a public school function.
Putnam County Charter School System officials would not discuss specifics of the incident but said an investigation will determine whether other students were involved in the attack.
“While all student disciplinary matters are strictly confidential, appropriate disciplinary action, in conjunction with local law enforcement, has been taken regarding a bus incident which occurred last week," the school district said in a statement. "The investigation is on-going regarding any additional student involvement which may result in further disciplinary action."
The statemenet said it "considers bus and student safety our priority at all times. When students choose to violate the discipline code, immediate and appropriate actions occur."
About the Author
