SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A new case of bus bullying is under investigation in Seminole County, and the victim's mother claims the district isn't doing enough to stop it.
Her son, a sixth grader, almost hurt himself before school officials took action. The boy had to be hospitalized to keep him safe.
The boy's mom said that would not have been necessary if officials at the school district did more to stop her son's bullies ahead of time.
Elona Kearney said her 11-year-old son is being mocked and beaten every day by students on the school bus. She also said that she confronted school officials and the bus driver, but the bullying has not stopped.
"My son has lost faith in me because he thinks that I am not fighting for him," Kearney said. "They are supposed to be protecting my child ... and they are not."
Kearney said last month, someone threw a metal necklace at her son, someone else hit him on the head, and another student slapped the boy with the metal end of a belt buckle.
This week the boy was hospitalized before he could hurt himself.
"I could have lost my child, and who would have dropped the ball? And who is responsible now? " Kearney said.
But Superintendent Bill Vogel says the district is working hard on the issue. We found out that Seminole County investigated nearly 170 bully cases last year.
And Vogel said that if your son or daughter is being bullied, you can call the district and get his personal cell phone number.
WFTV asked Kearney what else she expects from district officials. She said teachers need to supervise buses that have issues and schools need to suspend or even expel bullies, before it's too late.
"My child matters to me. And I will fight for my child if you don't," Kearney said.
Kearney's mom just picked up her son up from the hospital.
District officials are also holding a bullying seminar later this month at South Seminole Middle School.
WFTV
