Sixth-grader Bailly O’Neil, an honors student, of Darby Township, Pa., lies in a hospital bed in a medically induced coma in order to stabilize the damage done after a bullying attack almost 4 weeks ago.
Southeast Delco School District Superintendent Stephen Butz told ABCNews.com the school has turned the investigation over to local police and is cooperating fully with their efforts.
“We take bullying seriously,” he said. ”We are very concerned about the medical condition of the student and our thoughts and prayers are with the family and students.”
The school had surveillance video showing Bailly during lunch recess three or four weeks ago, as schoolmates gathered around them in a circle and watched two bullies beat him, kick him and strike him in the head. It was this blunt force to the head that would cause symptoms over the next few weeks that alarmed parents and doctors.
Family members of 11-year-old Bailey O’Neill blame “two bullies” for his injuries, which grandmother Joy Fecanin said include a broken nose, a concussion and ultimately, uncontrollable seizures, said in an interview with The Daily Times.
The video shows school security running outside to break up the commotion. Afterward, Fecanin said her grandson returned to class and “sat there for the rest of the day with a broken nose. They never even called his mother,” she said.
According to Bailey’s father in an ABC Interview, one of the bullies who struck his son was suspended for two days following the incident, but police have not filed any criminal charges in the case. Darby Township Deputy Police Chief Brian Patterson said their investigation began Jan. 10, the same day as the incident.
Bailly's was moved to another location and his condition and location at this point are being kept private as the family is protecting his privacy.
Credits: ABC News, Rose Quinn at Delco Times,
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