Cafeteria attack on Pennbrook middle schooler alarms district, families
Update: The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court on Monday issued an order protecting the identity of the juvenile suspect, known as "M.B. aka A.B." in the alleged assault in the Pennbrook Middle School cafeteria. Under the order issued by Judge Henry Hilles III no identifying information about the juvenile including the date of birth, home address or family can be publicly revealed. The order was issued following a detention hearing for the juvenile suspect.
A Pennbrook Middle School student was reportedly severely beaten by a classmate wielding a Stanley cup and hospitalized earlier this week.
The assault victim has since been released from the hospital, but published reports indicate that parents of North Penn School District students angrily confronted district officials during a heated public school board meeting on Thursday night, demanding answers.
Here's everything we know about the alleged assault.
Middle school student beaten with Stanley cup
The attack happened Wednesday afternoon in the school cafeteria.
There, a seventh-grade student was repeatedly struck in the back of the head by another student with the weighty drinking jug.
Employees intervened, containing the attacker, and placing the school in lockdown.
The district’s initial message to parents about the incident categorized it as an altercation, not an attack.
"Today at approximately 1:20 pm, Pennbrook Middle School was placed on a hold due to a physical altercation that took place involving two students in the cafeteria," read a portion of the initial alert from Pennbrook Middle School Principal Nick Taylor. "School security and school staff were on hand and quickly responded, and are to be commended for their swift actions. Police and emergency medical responders were also immediately called and arrived at the scene.
"One student was transported to the hospital. The hold lasted for approximately eight minutes at which time students did not leave their current location, and normal activities occurred."
Pennbrook Middle School confirms attack
After the initial statement released by Taylor, North Penn School District Superintendent Todd M. Bauer released a statement clarifying what happened and the district's response.
"Since that time, the administration has been working with law enforcement and the families of the students involved to better understand what happened so that we can provide updated and accurate information," read a portion of Bauer's statement posted on the district's website. "As a school district, we aspire to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for our students and staff. A student sustained serious injuries as a result of another student’s actions.
"I have been in contact with this student’s family and will continue to work with them throughout the recovery process. The family has requested and deserves privacy as the student recovers."
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In his statement, Bauer also dispelled swirling reports the alleged attacker had been expelled from a district school for violence or moved to Pennbrook after expulsion from a different school.
"Both of these assertions are false. I have also been in contact with this family and recognize that they also need support as a result of this incident.
"I know Pennbrook Middle School to be a safe school where our students learn and grow under the guidance of caring adults," Bauer's statement continued. "Today’s incident is extremely disappointing and concerning, but it does not represent the values and qualities you and I have grown to know."
This is a developing story and may be updated as information becomes available.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia contributed to this story
Damon C. Williams covers trending and regional developments for PhillyBurbs.com. Support our journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County teen beaten, hospitalized by classmate