ST. LOUIS — Now-deleted videos on Instagram show kids attacking their classmates in the middle of class, allegedly at Carr Lane Visual and Performing Arts High School in St. Louis.
A concerned parent brought the account to 5 On Your Side, saying it shows a problem her own daughter has experienced: violent bullying.
"I was furious. I was mind-blown that all of this can continue to go on,” the parent said. She asked us not to show her identity because she fears retaliation for speaking about the issue.
The mom says her 7th Grade daughter has been assaulted at Carr Lane more than 5 times this school year, most recently Monday.
"I turned around to go walk to the bathroom, and this girl bumped into me, and before I could turn around and say sorry, she started hitting me,” the girl told 5 On Your Side.
The family has decided the girl will not return to school because of the threats of violence.
“At this point it's not about education, it's about safety. I can't send her somewhere that isn't safe anymore,” the mom said.
5 On Your Side asked St. Louis Public Schools if they know about the fighting and the Instagram account and the gave the following response:
"FERPA prohibits us from discussing any student disciplinary matters, but addressing this topic broadly—not specific to this inquiry—we do a lot in prevention and helping students work through issues. Still, as much as we’d like to prevent them, disputes arise—some spontaneously, some not. In the instance of fights, parents/guardians are notified and there are consequences and then follow-up support for students."
