Mom Who Said Son, 7, Was ‘Hung’ in Boy’s Bathroom Questions School’s ‘Horseplaying’ Claims: 'Doesn't Make Sense'

Mar. 15, 2025

Stock photo.Photo: Getty

The superintendent of a Maryland school district has responded to an incident involvingan alleged hanging at an elementary schoolthat left a 7-year-old boy injured, saying that what happened appeared not to be “race-related.”

According to the boy’s mother in a social media post and a subsequent interview withWUSA News 9, the incident occurred on Friday, Nov. 15, at her son’s school, which was later identified as C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Charles County.

In an interview with WUSA, the boy’s parents said that afterwards their son was left with “marks under his eyes” and “bruises on his neck from being choked.”

“He’s traumatized. It’s going to take time,“ the boy’s mother told the outlet. “This is not something he’s going to just get over overnight.”

In a Nov. 15 letter addressed to parents and staff members following the incident, C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School principal Carrie Burke characterized what happened between the two students in the bathroom as “horseplaying.”

“Two of our students were reportedly horseplaying in a school bathroom when one student’s jacket got caught on a stall door hook,” Burke wrote.

“The student was not able to free themselves and the other student involved was also not able to help them,” the letter continued. “This student left the bathroom to seek help from staff and reported the incident to administrators. Administrators responded and were able to assist, but staff called 911 for additional precautionary medical support.”

“As of [Nov. 18], we have gathered additional statements from staff and students and completed a thorough review of school camera footage,” the superintendent said. “Based on our investigation so far, we have no reason to believe this was race-related or there was any intent for anyone to be hurt. However, disciplinary consequences following the CCPS Code of Student Conduct are being imposed due to the serious nature of this incident.”

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Navarro added, “This morning, Barnhart administrators reviewed with school staff protocols in place for student restroom use. This includes ensuring students are traveling to bathrooms in pairs and reminding staff of existing protocols related to hallway and bathroom monitoring.”

The superintendent also noted that there were “serious threats as well as disturbing rhetoric circulating online” following the attention the matter has received, adding, “Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to have additional police resources at the school and supporting staff externally.”

Responding to the school district’s announcement of an investigation on Sunday, Nov. 17, the mother toldABC affiliate WJLAthat people need to understand the seriousness of the situation.

“His face, his physical appearance is … I can’t even explain it. I don’t want to see my child like this,” the mother said.

As for the school’s “horseplaying” claim, the boy’s mom told WUSA that “it doesn’t make sense to me.”

“How do you get caught on a hook?” she added. “I want answers, and we won’t stop till we get answers.”

Both students are not currently at the school, according to Navarro, who did not share additional details. The 7-year-old boy’s mom toldWTOP Newsthat her son, who is still recovering, would not be returning.

source: people.com