TOMBALL, Texas – Family members are in shock and an 8-year-old is recovering after authorities said he was severely beaten at an elementary school in the Tomball Independent School District.
According to his family, three students followed the child from the school bus into a restroom at Lakewood Elementary School Tuesday and beat the 8-year-old until he was unconscious.
The child was rushed to a hospital, where doctors told family members the child had bleeding in his brain, family members said.
His family said this is not the first time the child has been bullied at the school and they want to bring attention to the incident.
Tomball ISD is also launching an investigation into the beating, the district said in a statement:
"Tomball ISD is aware of an incident in the bathroom between several students at one of our elementary schools that resulted in one student being sent to the hospital with an injury. That student has since been released home. Out of respect for the family and the student's privacy, we are not providing any more details on the incident at this time. We are thoroughly investigating the incident and will take appropriate disciplinary measures for all those involved. As always, student safety is our first priority in Tomball ISD."
The district cannot release information about punishments for the students involved.
Family members said the child is recovering back at home and is expected to be OK.
His sister, Kailee Boynton, said her brother is “such a nice kid” and his joy and good heart will not be stopped by anyone.
Tomball ISD parents were very concerned about the attack. One parent KPRC spoke to, Jessica, said she was "distraught."
"I was actually in tears.I was just imagining my daughter being in that situation, being cornered and being attacked," she said.
Another parent, Amanda Mikel said she's afraid the parents of children in trouble might retaliate.
"There needs to be a seminar. There needs to be something. These kids need to be talked to, they need to know they can go to the bathroom. They need to be protected,” Mikel said.
In a letter to parents, Tomball ISD sought to assuage the fears and concern of parents who were especially angered by the delay in communication from the school district.
"This was an isolated incident between a few students and at no time posed a threat to the safety of our students or campus," district officials wrote in the letter. "Rest assured that if a school-wide incident threatens the safety and security of the campus, the district's communication protocol would immediately be enacted to notify you of the threat."
The district also told parents they are working with the families of the students involved and will "apply appropriate disciplinary measures" while upholding the Student Code of Conduct.
"Tomball ISD nor Lakewood Elementary tolerates this kind of behavior and will administer actions," they wrote.
KPRC's Tulsi Kamath and Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli contributed to this report.
