Seven Georgia students, some as young as 5 years old, were taken into custody for allegedly attacking their 7-year-old classmate during a morning bus ride to school. The incident occurred on April 18 while the bus was en route to Mattie Lively Elementary School in Statesboro, as reported by the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office.
After being notified about the assault a week later, authorities reviewed the security footage from the bus and identified the students involved in the attack. The footage captured the group of students ganging up on the young child, resulting in a violent beating.
Captain Todd Hutchens described the attack as a “violent assault,” with one child stomping on the 7-year-old. He emphasized that even 5-year-olds know right from wrong and hold responsibility for their actions. The victim only suffered minor bruising from the incident.
In addition to the students, the bus driver, Joey Edwin Jackson, 70, was also arrested for failing to intervene or report the incident. Jackson did not stop the bus or inform the school district about the assault, leading to his charges of second-degree cruelty to children and failure to report child abuse. He was subsequently fired from his position and released on bond after a brief stay in Bulloch County Jail.
The seven students involved in the attack were suspended from their respective schools, and their cases will be handled in juvenile court. Superintendent Charles Wilson emphasized that such behavior will not be tolerated in Bulloch County Schools, stressing the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment for all students to learn and thrive.
