A Bucks County father takes to social media seeking answers and action after his 5-year-old son was attacked at school, leading to hospitalization. The incident involving a special needs student raises questions about school safety and accountability.
Key Takeaways:
- A 5-year-old boy was attacked at Keystone Elementary School, resulting in serious injuries.
- The father, Stephen Callahan, has taken to social media to highlight the incident and demand action.
- The investigation is ongoing, with cooperation from the school district and Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU).
Father Seeks Justice After the Incident at Keystone
Stephen Callahan, a concerned father from Bucks County, is demanding answers after his 5-year-old son, Grayson, was attacked at Keystone Elementary School on May 16, 2024.
The incident, which left Grayson with a gash on his forehead and two knocked-out teeth, occurred when he was allegedly assaulted by a fourth-grade special needs student in the school cafeteria.
School Cafeteria Attack Leaves Child Injured
Grayson’s attack occurred in the school’s cafeteria, where a 4th-grade special needs student allegedly assaulted him.
Callahan shared his distress on TikTok, where his video quickly went viral, garnering over 6 million views and 1.3 million likes.
In the video, he described the horrifying moment he learned of his son’s injuries: “I was horrified. Parent mode kicks in. I hear my son screaming, and I’m being told I need to go to the hospital. I just got to get him out of there.”
The Bristol Township School District confirmed that Grayson was pushed by a fourth-grade student from a special education program run by the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU).
According to the district, BCIU staff, who are not district employees, are responsible for the students in the program.
The BCIU is currently conducting an investigation into the incident in cooperation with the school district.
Parental Outrage and Legal Steps After School Incident
Callahan, deeply affected by the incident, expressed his frustration and helplessness: “I have a 5-year-old who didn’t want to go to his kindergarten graduation because he’s too scared to go to school because he thinks something is going to happen to him. What would you do if you were me?”
The Callahans have since reported the incident to the Bristol Township police and have enlisted the help of an attorney, David Langsam.
They believe there is surveillance footage of the attack but claim the school has not provided any video evidence.
Langsam expressed the impact on the family, he said, “It’s a parent’s worst nightmare that you take your kids somewhere where you expect them to learn and be safe, and when something like this happens, it completely shatters your faith.”
School and BCIU Issue Responses to Cafeteria Incident
Both the school district and the BCIU have issued statements regarding the incident.
The school district’s statement reads, in part: “We are apologetic to the student and family and wish the child a speedy recovery. Our primary concern is the health and safety of all our students, and whenever a student is hurt in school, we are saddened.”
The BCIU also responded, stating, “Based on the outcomes of this investigation, the Bucks IU will take appropriate actions specific to the students, team members, and programs involved. In addition to the swift action taken by the Bucks IU team, the Bucks IU remains committed to supporting all involved in this difficult situation.”
Investigation Continues as Family Considers Homeschooling
The Bristol Township Police Department has confirmed that an investigation is “opened and is ongoing” with the cooperation of the Bristol Township School District and the BCIU.
As the investigation continues, the Callahan family is considering homeschooling Grayson for the next school year to ensure his safety and well-being.
Stephen Callahan’s advocacy on social media highlights the critical need for accountability and better safety measures in schools, especially when it involves the care of special needs students.
The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by the community as parents seek reassurance that their children are safe at school.
