According to family, an 18 year-old special needs student was brutally attacked at Jefferson High School in Michigan following bullying that occurred earlier in the day.
Parents of the victim, Abby and Steven Czerwonka, say the school district failed to protect their son, Brian. Despite his learning disability, Brian was hopeful for his senior year before the incident.
The taunting began on Dec. 4, when a female student began writing homophobic slurs on Brian’s laptop in pencil. She also spilled a drink on Brian during the altercation.
Brian Czerwonka says, “I told her to knock it off and pushed her hand away.”
However, according to the family, rumors began to spread that Brian hit the female and male students began articulating plans to fight Brian.
Later in the day, students approached Brian with their phones out to record the confrontation.
“It makes me want to puke as a parent because… the youth have no sense of direction or empathy,” says Abby Czerwonka.
A male student began the attack by punching Brian in the face. After a few hits, Brian fought back the attacker but was quickly tackled onto the ground. He was terrified throughout the entire incident and hid in the school bathroom for over a half hour.
Brian says no educators attended his wounds or called his parents.
Abby and Steve Czerwonka claim they were unaware of the fight until Brian texted his mother asking to be picked up from school. He later received medical attention and required five stitches in his lip.
Brian returned to school while his family is looking to press charges against the attacker.
“We would like to see changes so that other kids don’t have to go through the situation that he went through,” Steven Czerwonka said.
Further information regarding Brian will become available when released to the public. Any students who are currently experiencing bullying should seek help from a counselor, tell a friend, or speak to an adult.
