RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR)—Keshawn White is a smart fifth grader, already reading on an 8th grade level.
He says his love for school has been tested this week, after he was jumped by a group of girls on the playground during Wednesday recess.
“They pushed me on the ground, they kicked me, they punched me,” Keshawn said.
His injuries were treated by doctors at VCU Medical, who put Keshawn into a neck brace to help reduce the pain
His mother Candice turned to CBS 6 after the attack, upset that the school did not call 911. She said she called 911 from the school, once she was notified about her son’s injuries by the Woodville Elementary school nurse.
“Anything could trigger my son’s asthma,” she said. She said his asthma is bad enough that it bothers her, because she “could have lost my son.”
“I was left there crying on the ground,” Keshawn detailed in a letter describing what happened.
CBS 6 showed that letter to Richmond School Board member Kim Grey who said she "understands" why Candice is upset.
Gray too called for an investigation and thinks it's time to review the current policy of calling a parent before an ambulance for non-severe injuries.
"Typically if it’s not a serious injury the parents are called to the school,” Gray said.
Candice said that’s nice but it doesn't make her feel any better. She doesn’t want her son to go back to Woodville ever again.
And Keshawn said he is scared to go back to school.
“We are extremely concerned about this incident, we are currently investigating it and we also reported it to child protective services,” Felicia Cosby, with the Richmond Public Schools, said. “It is the responsibility of everyone in the school to make sure our students are safe.”
Cosby said the attack is under investigation, and they are “making sure we have protocols followed, so that we can minimize anything like this from happening again.”
She said that two of the girls will see a disciplinary officer and recommend the appropriate disciplinary actions.
