Parents of an 11-year-old student at Willard K-8 school in Warren said their son was taken to the emergency room Wednesday after being bullied and assaulted in the gym locker room.
Christina and James Stephens said James Jr. has been bullied three times since school started this year.
"It's an ongoing problem for him," said Christina Stephens. "First he was just bullied, called names. The second time he was smacked in the face, and this is the third incident for him. He has a broken toe and got kicked in the face."
James called his mom from the school Wednesday morning, saying he thought his toe was broken. They took him to the emergency room where they spent four hours getting treatment.
James' father said he feels the school let his son down by not properly protecting him. He claims his son was even afraid to talk to police because he didn't want anything else to happen to him.
Warren City Schools does have an anti-bullying policy, and while school officials could not go on camera at this time, a district spokesperson said they are looking into the matter and are taking it seriously.
The parents filed a police report and a complaint with the school.
"They were supposed to protect him," said Christina. "We send these kinds to school to be protected and the outcome, my son has a broken toe and was kicked in the face and getting cussed at. There is no justice for him. He should be protected so he can go to school and learn."
They plan to meet with the juvenile prosecutor about possible charges being filed as well.
"I have to get him to see a counselor now because he is afraid to go to school now," said James Stephens. "I don't want him to get behind on his school work. He has to have a boot on his foot for six weeks and we have to get him re-evaluated by his doctor. It is just a big mess now."
James is recovering at home. His parents aren't sure when he will return to school.
