The family of a 15-year-old girl who was brutally beaten by another teen has spoken out, sharing her picture and revealing the extent of her injuries. The victim, identified only as Kaylee, has suffered severe brain damage after her head was repeatedly smashed into the ground during a fight near Hazelwood East High School on Friday. The girl remains in critical condition, with a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage.
In a statement released through a GoFundMe page, the family described how their lives were shattered in a matter of minutes. They explained that Kaylee was left alone on the ground, convulsing, before emergency medical technicians arrived on the scene. The family added that they will not know the full extent of the brain damage until Kaylee wakes up, but that the road to recovery will be difficult both mentally and financially.
As news of the incident spread, the community came together to support Kaylee and her family. The GoFundMe page has already raised over $16,000 of its $40,000 goal, with all funds going towards Kaylee’s medical expenses and the family’s financial burden. Attorney General Andrew Bailey has also called for the 15-year-old suspect to be tried as an adult, stating that her actions show a complete disregard for human life.
The incident has caused alarm and concern in the Hazelwood community, as it highlights the issue of bullying and violence among young people. Students at Hazelwood East High School were forced to leave early on Monday due to multiple threats related to the viral video of the fight. The altercation occurred on Friday at around 2:30 pm, just a short distance from the high school campus.
Video footage of the incident has been widely shared on social media, showing the 15-year-old suspect repeatedly punching and slamming Kaylee’s head into the concrete. As the fight escalated, other teens joined in and brawled just feet away. Eventually, Kaylee appears to suffer a seizure as a result of the attack. Police arrived at the scene and found her with a serious head injury, and she was immediately taken to the hospital.
Following the incident, the suspect was arrested and charged with assault. She remains in custody at the St. Louis County Family Court. The St. Louis County Police Department is currently investigating the matter, and Attorney General Bailey has expressed his condolences to the victim’s family. The school district also released a statement condemning the violent incident and offering support to those affected.
The Hazelwood School District has been under scrutiny in recent weeks after over three dozen middle schoolers were disenrolled in late February and early March. The district claimed that the students were ejected for providing expired residency information, and the majority were able to re-enroll after providing updated documentation. Community members have expressed their concern over the district’s actions and are urging for a resolution to the ongoing issue of violence and bullying in the community.
As Kaylee’s family and the community continue to rally behind her, the incident serves as a reminder of the devastating effects of violence and the urgent need for measures to prevent it. Both families involved have been deeply impacted, and the community as a whole is hoping for a positive outcome for Kaylee’s recovery. As the investigation continues, the community is also focused on working towards a safer and more supportive environment for its children.
