The Puerto Rico Department of Education suspended a student at the José Santos Alegría school in Dorado for his role in a beating of a 15-year-old classmate last week, and placed two other students under "cautelares" measures, precautionary actions taken before possible disciplinary measures. The agency said all cases were referred to its Legal Division for evaluation and the application of corresponding measures under established procedures and due process guarantees.
The victim’s parents denounced that no school official intervened to stop the assault, in which their son suffered fractures and was treated at the Pediatric Hospital of the Centro Médico in Río Piedras. "Nobody helped him, because with so many kicks and punches these cowards gave him, they were meant to kill him," the mother said in an interview with Noticentro (WAPA).
The fight was reported on Thursday. Education did not confirm the parents’ claim that the attackers are minors in state custody residing in a Department of the Family home, but said the school has made efforts with that department to coordinate care and follow-up. The family said the school principal contacted them only on Monday, after the social worker visited the hospital on Friday.
Education said it rejects all physical, verbal or emotional violence in its school communities and that school personnel have been in communication with and supporting the family.