COLUMBUS, OH – An alarming incident involving an 11-year-old boy has raised serious concerns about student safety at Eastland Performance Academy. Elizabeth Johnson, the boy’s mother, reported that her son was severely beaten by another student just a week and a half after enrolling in the school.
The distressing assault unfolded last Tuesday, leading to a frantic call to Johnson from school staff as she was en route to pick her son up. They informed her that her son was injured and required immediate hospital care. Upon arrival, Johnson found her son bleeding heavily from his ear, visibly shaken and repeatedly asserting his innocence in the attack.
Johnson recounted that the assault happened during a class, but the teacher was reportedly unaware of the brutality until it concluded. The teacher’s account, according to Johnson, failed to recognize her son being violently attacked. This included being lifted by the throat, repeatedly punched, and thrown against a window and a desk.
Medical evaluations revealed the young boy sustained a cracked skull, a ruptured eardrum, multiple bruises, and a concussion. Johnson criticized the classroom response, questioning why no immediate help was sought when attempts to stop the attack failed.
The Columbus Division of Police is treating the incident as a felonious assault. Johnson’s son mentioned that the attack began while he was talking to a friend and escalated without any provocation. He reportedly lost consciousness during the assault.
The heartbreaking episode has left Johnson frustrated with the school’s handling of the situation. She previously transferred her son from another school in Whitehall due to bullying concerns, believing Eastland would be a safer environment.
Superintendent Jeff Luelleman released a statement acknowledging a physical altercation and emphasized cooperation with law enforcement while prioritizing student safety. However, privacy laws preclude further specifics from being shared.
Haunted by the ordeal, Johnson has resolved to homeschool her son as he recovers from both physical injuries and emotional trauma.