WALDORF, Md. — The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is investigating an alleged incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School, where a second-grade student was reportedly found hanging on a hook in a bathroom, sustaining severe bruising on his neck and face.
The incident occurred Friday afternoon and was reported by the school staff, who called 911 for medical assistance.
Parents Speak Out
The student’s parents, who have chosen to remain anonymous to protect their child’s identity, shared their concerns with media.
“[School officials] said that he was choking, so we’re thinking that he was at lunch and he’s choking off of food,” the boy’s mother said.
The mother claims that the school principal, Carrie Burke, told the family their son was “horseplaying” with a fourth grader in the bathroom when his jacket accidentally got caught on a hook.
However, she expressed doubts about this explanation, stating, “Before she got him down, he was foaming at the mouth, unconscious, and it was from horseplaying? That doesn’t make sense to me.”
School’s Response
In a letter to the community, Principal Burke stated that two students were “reportedly horseplaying” when one student’s jacket became caught on a stall door hook.
“The student was not able to free themselves, and the other student involved was also not able to help them. This student left the bathroom to seek help from staff and reported the incident to administrators,” Burke explained.
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She also addressed misinformation circulating in the community, saying privacy concerns limit the details she can share.
District Investigation
Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent Maria Navarro confirmed in a letter that the school district is investigating the incident. Navarro denied allegations of a cover-up, stating, “The principal nor the school system are hiding anything. Rather, we are sharing what information we can while we conduct a full investigation.”
Navarro emphasized the importance of preventing speculation and misinformation, which she said impedes the investigation process.
“The investigation is ongoing. Any student who is found to violate the CCPS Code of Student Conduct faces disciplinary consequences,” she added.
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Sheriff’s Office Involvement
The school resource officer filed a preliminary report with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office, which is actively investigating the matter.
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Parents Demand Accountability
The boy’s parents are demanding more transparency and action from the school. “I want someone to be held accountable for what happened to our child,” his mother stated.
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The student is currently recovering from his injuries. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
