7 Ga. students hit with battery charges for alleged beatdown on 7-year-old

Seven Georgia students, some as young as 5 years old, were arrested for allegedly attacking their 7-year-old classmate during a morning bus ride to Mattie Lively Elementary School in Statesboro. The incident took place on April 18, and the students, aged 5 to 14, were charged with battery for the brutal assault.

The Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrests, stating that they were made after reviewing security footage from the bus. The footage captured the group of students teaming up to attack the young child, resulting in a violent and heinous assault.

Captain Todd Hutchens described the attack as a “violent attack,” with one child using his feet to stomp on the 7-year-old. The incident left the victim with some bruising, but fortunately, no serious injuries were reported.

In addition to the students, the bus driver, Joey Edwin Jackson, 70, was also arrested for failing to intervene or report the incident. Jackson was charged with second-degree cruelty to children and failure to report child abuse. He was subsequently fired from his position and released on bond after a brief stint in Bulloch County Jail.

The seven students involved in the assault were suspended from their schools, and their cases will be handled in juvenile court. Superintendent Charles Wilson emphasized that such behavior will not be tolerated in Bulloch County Schools, reiterating the commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing bullying and violence in schools, as well as the responsibility of adults to intervene and ensure the safety of students. It is crucial for schools and communities to work together to prevent such incidents and create a culture of respect and empathy among students.