Three teens charged as adults in rape of 16-year-old special needs student

Three teenage boys have been charged as adults in the first degree rape of a 16-year-old special needs male student in a bathroom at West Memphis High School, WMC-TV reported on March 18.

Details of the incident are just now being revealed, even though police in West Memphis were alerted to the rape last month.

Authorities reported that the three suspects, ages 15 to 17, were skipping class at West Memphis High and hanging out in one of the school bathrooms.

When the special needs student entered the bathroom, the three boys “tried to rob him then made fun of him and started beating him, breaking two ribs.”

Afterwards, the victim told the police that one of the three suspects raped him.

The victim also told police that he had informed the school principal about the matter. The principal sent the boy back to class and told him the situation would be taken care of the next day.

The incident in the bathroom didn’t get reported to the police however until the victim’s aunt called after hearing about the rape from her nephew.

Although all three of the suspects admitted to police that they were skipping class and hanging out in the bathroom, they all gave different accounts of what actually transpired regarding the robbing, beating and raping of the victim.

One dad, Barry Adams, said that he was shocked to hear of what went down at the school.

"My son goes to West Memphis High, and I have a lot of faith they will do the right thing."

The three teens are currently free on bond with a court date scheduled for next month.

All three are now attending an alternative school and no longer enrolled at West Memphis High.

In addition the charge of first degree rape, the three teen suspects were also charged with battery.

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