Bus Bullies Torture 10-Year-Old Special Needs Child With Cigarette Lighter [Video]
A newly released video of a bus bullying incident last year shows just how depraved and brutal bullying has become.
The 40-minute video shows 10-year-old Cequan Haskins and the abuse he suffered in May of 2011 at the hands of two 15-year-old bullies on the bus with him. The incident in the video took place in Appomattox County, Virginia, according to Global Grind. In the disturbing video, the bullies call Haskins (who is a special needs student) names, make sexual and racial slurs, and hold a burning cigarette lighter up against his skin. Haskins screams and begs the bullies to stop, but it only eggs them on.
The bus appears to be nearly empty, leaving some to wonder why the bus driver didn’t intervene. Well, she did. “Ugh, anything to get him quiet! I’ve got to drive this bus,” she said. According to the Huffington Post, she was acquitted of any child abuse charges relating to the case.
So why is the video only being released now? The mother of the bullied boy, Roxanne Haskins, decided to release the video at a press conference on Friday, July 20, 2012, explaining: “I wanted parents to be aware, that when I speak out, I’m speaking out for all kids. But unfortunately, this did happen to my child, and I want parents to be aware of what’s going on in the school system,” she said.
“My son, he was a special needs child and he didn’t deserve this. He was entitled to a safe transportation just like any other child in the Appomattox County Public School System.”
Roxanne added that Cequan has been left with emotional scars after the bullying, has undergone hours of therapy, and suffers from post-traumatic stress. Both bullies were found guilty of assault and battery and disorderly conduct last year, according to NY Daily.
Roxanne Haskins is currently engaged in a civil case against the Appomattox County School Board. A trial date has not yet been set.
Here’s a local affiliate news report regarding the bus bullying incident, including clips of Cequan’s abuse.
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