NORFOLK, Va. — News 3 is getting more information about an incident at Maury High School after a mother said her son was severely beaten by students there.
Michel’le Pratt shared pictures with News 3 of what she said are the injuries her son suffered after being beaten by a group of students in a bathroom Wednesday. She believed this may have been the result of a TikTok challenge.
News 3 reached out on Thursday and Friday to get comment from Norfolk Public Schools. On Saturday, a spokesperson for NPS sent the following statement:
"We are aware of this incident at Maury High School. School staff, including the nurse, responded immediately to assess the incident and provide support. While we do not share specific details about individual students, we can confirm that this incident involved only two students. As always, we take these matters seriously and follow division protocols to ensure appropriate support and response. The safety and well-being of our students are always our top priorities. The Norfolk Police Department was on school grounds as part of an unrelated (and pre-planned) lockdown drill. No message regarding the incident was sent to student families."
Watch: Exclusive: Mother outraged after she says her son was beaten by fellow students at Maury High
During her interview with News 3 Thursday, she told us her son was afraid to go to school and may need therapy.
News 3 talked with a psychotherapist about how to help a child after something like this.
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“Parents, teachers, community members can help young people that have experienced that type of traumatic event by, first and foremost, relieving any sense of responsibility for what had occurred. Oftentimes, our children and our adolescents will absorb responsibility that really isn’t theirs," licensed psychotherapist Dr. Sarah Williams said.
Williams said paying attention to a child's behavior after a traumatic event is also important.
"It's very important for parents to be aware of signs and symptoms, such as changes in sleeping, changes in eating patterns, changes in behavior. Listening for conversations, paying close attention to their communication with other peers. Are they communicating differently? Are they having difficulty academically?" Williams explained.
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Norfolk police tell us they were investigating as of Friday.
