Parent: District Didn't Protect Child From Bully
By: Lauren Trager, KARK 4 News
Updated: December 12, 2012
A father is outraged after he says the Little Rock School District failed to protect his teenage daughter in school.
He says the district knew his daughter was being threatened by another student, but did nothing to stop it.
Darius Nelson says his 17-year-old daughter Daria is a good kid who is captain of the drill team and ready to head to college on a full scholarship.
"If your child is hurting, it makes you hurt," Nelson says.
But he says Daria's last few years at Parkview High School in Little Rock have traumatized her.
"She's been making reports as far back as April of last year," he says.
Daria has lodged several complaints with the school about a fellow student whom she says has repeatedly threatened her with physical violence.
Nelson showed us the documentation, but says the district did nothing until Monday when "she was attacked," he says.
A police report states in a classroom on Monday, the other student grabbed Daria by the hair and hit her several times in the face.
Daria fought back, and both students were suspended and arrested.
Nelson can't imagine why his daughter is being equally punished. He also says if the district had addressed the problem to begin with, the fight could have been prevented.
"I just can't understand it, it doesn't make sense," he says. "I don't send my child to school to be attacked. I want her to be protected while she is at school."
Now he says he simply wants the district to take a stand.
"If they are serious about 'no bullying,' 'no tolerance,' why did this happen to my child on their watch?" Nelson says.
The Little Rock School District said on Wednesday that it is investigating, but a spokesperson said she couldn't comment until more information is gathered.
Comments
Bullying has been an experience by almost all people, in one way or another, during their teenage lives. As a Parent, having kids myself, I find myself worrying about their safety from time to time. However, I stumbled upon this blog last moth which tells how a mother overcame a tragedy and found an amazing way to keep her kids safe. Check it out http://www.tsue-thatswhatshesaid.com/2011/08/your-childs-safety-your-piece-of-mind.html
Saphire C.
December 14, 2012 at 4:30 pm
I go to parkview and i know Daria. I had no idea this happened. I do NOT feel as safe as i used to.
Amber D.
December 12, 2012 at 6:48 pm
Nothing new here...the district PREACHS prevention , but they don't PRACTICE it. I learned this 20 years ago when my daughter was in middle school. LRSD...all talk.
Peter D.
December 12, 2012 at 4:49 pm
It does sound like someone dropped the ball here. A person is no longer allowed to defend themselves. They have to take a beating in order not to get in the same trouble as the perp. It is a sad country we are turning into.
William S.
December 12, 2012 at 4:21 pm
