A Northwest High School student who was beaten in a
has been suspended for five days.
The girl's brother told Eyewitness News of the punishment. Speaking to reporters Wednesday, the school's principal said the boy who was seen attacking the girl in the cell phone video has also been dealt with, but did not elaborate on any disciplinary action for him.
"The family is angry. The family is upset," said Cordell Owens, the girl's brother.
His family is upset that the 17-year-old junior shown taking a beating at the fists of a classmate was suspended from school for five days.
"I would say she was the victim," he said, calling the punishment "unfair" and arguing that "it should have been dealt with in a different" way.
Cordell Owens says his sister shared a class with her attacker but knows him mostly through her friends.
"Her friends were having a problem with him. I guess she felt the boy was guilty by association," he said.
Both students may find themselves in even more trouble. The Marion County Prosecutor is deciding whether this hallway fight warrants charges filed in juvenile court.
The video went viral on WTHR's Facebook page, with millions of views and
. Many questioned why a teacher, who was present during the attack, did not step in to physically intervene. The school says the teacher acted per school policy that prohibits teachers from physical contact.
Prosecutors are working to determine if there will be any charges. The girl did not fight back as the boy punched and slapped her and threw her to the ground.
The girl later went to the emergency room to be treated for bruises and lacerations.
Northwest H.S. Principal Michelle Brittain-Watts told reporters Wednesday, "If we are made aware of any altercations or aggressive outbursts, we do our best to respond in a timely manner."
The IEA and teachers are now questioning a new IPS discipline policy.
The new policy aims at keeping troublesome students in school, instead of left to run the streets and cause more trouble. This year, IPS says suspensions are down 40 percent, expulsions down 86 percent and arrests 61 percent.
Students who get in trouble are supposed to receive mentors, tutoring and other help enabling them to succeed.
