Kindergartener AvaLynn's Eyes Blackened at School, Mother Gets Runaround

[killarney rose]

I'm not saying she shouldn't have FB. She should. I'm still out on the donations though.


I just think there is something not right here. I'm not sure what it could be. This child is severely beaten. Something is not right for the school to not be interested in finding out who hurt this child and following the appropriate discipline measures.

I wonder, did the child come to school this way? As you know, bruises take time to develop. Im Seeing several scenarios. And wonder if the school is being silent , or seems to be showing a lack of action for a reason.

 

[Angelonline]

I'm not saying she shouldn't have FB. She should. I'm still out on the donations though.


I just think there is something not right here. I'm not sure what it could be. This child is severely beaten. Something is not right for the school to not be interested in finding out who hurt this child and following the appropriate discipline measures.

I wonder, did the child come to school this way? As you know, bruises take time to develop. Im Seeing several scenarios. And wonder if the school is being silent , or seems to be showing a lack of action for a reason.

The school issued a statement last Friday.

But Pascagoula School District officials released a statement Friday with a different account. Director of communications Debbie Anglin stated, "A student was injured while playing on the playground at Arlington Elementary School Tuesday afternoon. School officials responded to the situation. The parent was contacted and the student received medical treatment."The statement went on to say, "No other children were involved in the incident. The Pascagoula School District remains committed to the safety of all its students."

http://m.wlox.com/wlox/pm_130751/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=GmvXpbgg

 

[KristinSchmistin]

The school issued a statement last Friday.

But Pascagoula School District officials released a statement Friday with a different account. Director of communications Debbie Anglin stated, "A student was injured while playing on the playground at Arlington Elementary School Tuesday afternoon. School officials responded to the situation. The parent was contacted and the student received medical treatment."The statement went on to say, "No other children were involved in the incident. The Pascagoula School District remains committed to the safety of all its students."

http://m.wlox.com/wlox/pm_130751/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=GmvXpbgg

Ok so being that the district released a very vague-ish sounding statement and seemingly nothing is being done to remedy the situation as to "who did this, why did they do it, how was this vicious attack and horrible injury able to happen with children being supervised" etc etc- I would be irate.

First, a child inflicted this injury apparently (allegedly)- this is a terrible attack. Awful. IMO there is something very awful and violent going on in the other child's life for them to be able to lash out so violently at another child on the playground.

I do not think LE can do anything being the age of the other child. I do think that child protective services should be called in to assess the situation. Usually when a child that young lashes out with violence or in other ways (in terms of bathroom behaviors) it is indicative of an abusive home environment.

So I would urge the mom of avalynn to call in the state agency. The school SHOULD have already done that but I am guessing they did not, so the mom can make a call and it can be investigated in that sense.

That another child could do this? Is very troubling.

 

[KristinSchmistin]

and WHY on gods green earth are these children NOT being supervised on the playground???? I am actually shaking my head thinking "WTF x 10000" - unbelievable. It is still SO very hot down there on the gulf coast. A child could get heat stroke in minutes. Where are the adults in this situation????

 

[Angelonline]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/pascagoula_school_district_ava.html

New statement from the school issued last night, at link. It looks like Avalynn's mother is getting some results from the social media awareness. Now the school and the police say they are investigating this accident and the school is interviewing witnesses.
Big change from the previous statement...

 

[SStarr33]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/a_********_account_set_up_for.html

******** account for AvaLynn created Aug. 20 originally set up for Ferguson victim Michael Brown

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A ********.com fundraising account created Aug. 20 for AvaLynn, the Arlington Elementary School kindergartner hurt on the playground Aug. 26, was originally set up as a fundraiser for Ferguson, Missouri, shooting victim Michael Brown.

It appears to have been a scam site that was originally set up for Brown but was later edited to capitalize on the buzz created by AvaLynn's page.

 

[Angelonline]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/a_********_account_set_up_for.html

******** account for AvaLynn created Aug. 20 originally set up for Ferguson victim Michael Brown

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A ********.com fundraising account created Aug. 20 for AvaLynn, the Arlington Elementary School kindergartner hurt on the playground Aug. 26, was originally set up as a fundraiser for Ferguson, Missouri, shooting victim Michael Brown.

It appears to have been a scam site that was originally set up for Brown but was later edited to capitalize on the buzz created by AvaLynn's page.

The fb page does say that mom has her own fund raising page but that several scams have popped up saying they are for Avalynn. They caution people if they want to donate only donate to the official site.

 

[PrimeSuspect]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/a_********_account_set_up_for.html

******** account for AvaLynn created Aug. 20 originally set up for Ferguson victim Michael Brown

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A ********.com fundraising account created Aug. 20 for AvaLynn, the Arlington Elementary School kindergartner hurt on the playground Aug. 26, was originally set up as a fundraiser for Ferguson, Missouri, shooting victim Michael Brown.

It appears to have been a scam site that was originally set up for Brown but was later edited to capitalize on the buzz created by AvaLynn's page.

The donation site set up was opened 28 Aug. all other sites are bogus as Angelonline mentions, Avalynn's mother is warning everyone on her fb page.

 

[KristinSchmistin]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/a_********_account_set_up_for.html

******** account for AvaLynn created Aug. 20 originally set up for Ferguson victim Michael Brown

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- A ********.com fundraising account created Aug. 20 for AvaLynn, the Arlington Elementary School kindergartner hurt on the playground Aug. 26, was originally set up as a fundraiser for Ferguson, Missouri, shooting victim Michael Brown.

It appears to have been a scam site that was originally set up for Brown but was later edited to capitalize on the buzz created by AvaLynn's page.

wait. what?????

 

[CHERIE.T]

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/pascagoula_school_district_ava.html

New statement from the school issued last night, at link. It looks like Avalynn's mother is getting some results from the social media awareness. Now the school and the police say they are investigating this accident and the school is interviewing witnesses.
Big change from the previous statement...

Thank YOU Angel!
Funny how a 'little' sm outcry can help.

 

[human]

Schools are funded by taxpayers.

I know how willing taxpayers are to fund schools. NOT!

Many say that they have no kids in school. Why should they pay?

Guess they forgot that someone paid for their education.

So go to the taxpayer and get them to fund schools. Good luck!

 

[JeannaT]

I've spent some time looking at the progression of pictures although that's kind of hard to do because they aren't labeled by date. You have to judge them by bruise progression.

The first picture taken, I think, is the one with Ava on her mother's lap. In that photo, there is no injury whatsoever to the left eye.

As days go by, the left eye becomes very bruised. The eye itself wasn't injured, but is now black because of the injury to the base of the nose which is visible.

I had wondered how an ER doc could say her injuries were consistent with a fall off a slide - but when you look at the ORIGINAL pic, they are consistent. I see at most two hits to her face.

My guess is, a child kicked her in the face and she fell off, hitting her face again in the fall.

Which is something that could easily be missed by even the most careful playground supervisor. Wham a kick and a fall. That would look like a fall, if you are scanning the playground.

 

[LinasK]

The photo definitely isn't photoshopped because there are numerous photos showing the healing process on that Facebook page. There's definitely something shady going on with the school not investigating.

When things like this happen and ******** pages pop up right away, it casts doubt. I don't understand the need for money right now, but I'm sure the intent wasn't bad, I think it's just a part of the technological age we live in.

Right? I think that's why my hinky meter started blaring. The go fund me thing and then no police investigation? I will also add that if this were done by a kid, that kid has some SERIOUS anger issues and needs to be removed from the school immediately.

My first-born goes to his first day of kindy tomorrow. If this ever happened to him, god forbid, heads would ROLL.

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/28/2855360.html

I don't consider Pascagoula to be a very low income area. There are varying degrees of income levels. Median household income is higher than the state average according to census data linked above. Pascagoula median income is also greater than that of Mobile, Al. Pascagoula has a large shipyard which provides employment, an oil refinery, a chemical plant, and other industrial businesses.

According to the FB page the mother has hired a lawyer out of Jackson, MS. The lack of a police investigation does not surprise me. This is not a high crime rate area. All MOO based on having lived and worked in Pascagoula.

BBM. Doesn't matter if it historically has been a low-crime area. A police investigation should have been started immediately, NOT a Go-fund Me website. This little girl looks like she got punched in the face. No child should be subject to that kind of abuse by anyone, especially not another child. It's sad and does appear hoax-like when the parents have to resort to Facebook or other social media to get results...

 

[nrdsb4]

The school nurse was attending another school which is a dumb school policy to share a nurse.

This is not an uncommon practice. It's all about funding.

 

[KristinSchmistin]

Ok I FB messaged the FB page for this- suggesting that they go to DHS (CPS equivalent in Mississippi) - and this is the response I got:

"According to one of the newer reports from local PD, DHS is now involved in the investigation they claim to be conducting. One worry all the friends and family has had is that, for this other child to be so violent, is that he most likely has witnessed or experienced the same sort of behavior at home. I, personally, hope that he is removed from any violent home life and placed with people who will give him love and care."

Can this be posted? If not, mods, feel free to delete. I guess we would need to verify the identity of the moderator/admin of that page first. IF it can be posted at all? IDK.

 

[gitana1]

I saw this on Facebook as well. The fact that the school took the dismissive stance, despite such serious injuries to AL is troubling. Worse yet, local LE refused to follow up.

IMO, this begs the question : Why?

When a five year old is hurt this severely on school grounds, administration owes it to her to conduct a thorough, full and objective investigation. If they don't have the ability to do so, (perhaps as alluded to upthread because of the influence of certain members of their small community), then call in an outside agency.

Do whatever it takes to get to the truth of the matter. AL's physical scars may heal over time, if she gets the care she needs.

However, she has also been traumatized emotionally and psychologically. I read on the J4AL page that the account was set up to defray medical expenses (specialists, therapy, etc.), and for lost wages for her Mom to take her to be at AL's side as she recovers.

IMO, and as a mother, I can only imagine the stress and guilt AL's mom is experiencing - every time she looks at her daughter's face, into her eyes, or has to answer a tough question (like, "Mommy, why did this happen to me?" :cry:

It is our greatest honor and duty to protect our children. We also entrust them to our schools. When something like this hsppens, I believe we question our decisions. We wish we could take their pain away.

ItMV, it is clear AL, her Mom, family, and supporters have a tough road ahead. I wish them the strength they will need in the days, weeks, months (and likely years :sigh: ) ahead, as they fight for #Justice4AvaLynn

raying:


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Bravo. Excellent post.

and WHY on gods green earth are these children NOT being supervised on the playground???? I am actually shaking my head thinking "WTF x 10000" - unbelievable. It is still SO very hot down there on the gulf coast. A child could get heat stroke in minutes. Where are the adults in this situation????

I worked preschools and daycares for years. It is very possible to miss a split second thing happening somewhere on the playground as the staff student ratio is not close to one to one.

However, I feel this was more than a split second event. The child looks positively battered. As a caregiver or teacher of young children, your senses are attuned to something out of the ordinary or wrong.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2014/09/pascagoula_school_district_ava.html

New statement from the school issued last night, at link. It looks like Avalynn's mother is getting some results from the social media awareness. Now the school and the police say they are investigating this accident and the school is interviewing witnesses.
Big change from the previous statement...

Which shows that what the mom did was perfect. I just don't understand the criticism of her. And to even begin to suggest that she battered her own child's face so she could get 10k from donors is preposterous. It's also a horrible accusation to make against a single mother who is fighting for answers, healing and the protection of her baby. Come on.

Also, I worked daycares in the late 80's when we still had tall, metal slides and packed dirt around them. I've seen multiple falls off slides and other playground equipment- both the more challenging, taller equipment they had back then and the shorter, safer equipment that eventually replaced it. NOT ONCE have I seen the type of injuries this baby sustained. No way in hell is that all or even mostly from a fall. Falls tend to create injuries to the first surface likely to make contact. That's usually limbs, mostly arms and wrists, then backs, collar bones, stomachs, sides and the back of heads, or foreheads. I can maybe accept the jaw injury if that were the only one. But the eye injuries? And in combination with the cheek/jaw injury?

These are not injuries typical of a fall. Those would typically be broken/sprained arms or wrists, scraped and bruised legs and trunks, broken collar bones, scraped faces and bloody head injuries. What I see here is the same exact thing I have seen in multiple photos of domestic violence or assault victims. This child's little face was targeted by a bully or out of control child who purposefully stomped, kicked or punched her little face, repeatedly, until she lost her grip and fell.

This child was the victim of a violent beating. At kindergarten. That's her first memory, her first association with school. And the school failed to take it seriously at all.

I applaud this young, single mom who is fighting for her kid. And as to the criticism and suspicion of her fundraising page? I'm so darn sick of that. In every case of a hurt or killed or missing child or person in which relations or friend start such a campaign, I see the same darn thing. And it's totally baseless. In not one of these criminal cases where I've seen this kind of criticism have I seen a fraud investigation or anything definitive found out indicating that the money was used for something other than it's purpose.
(And don't tell me about the KFC case or the horrible Munchausen mothers making their kids sick and scamming people. I'm talking about cases where something criminal happens, like an abducted person or murdered person or beaten person, whose families later start fundraisers).

We are in the age of social media, which can be used quickly to ask for help. We are also in a country that has high medical costs and limited government-funded coverage. Medical expenses can quickly bankrupt a person and do quickly bankrupt people every single year. That is the number one reason for bankruptcies in the US. Further, many people live paycheck to paycheck and lack any paid sick time or vacation time. How many of us have 10k lying around to use toward medical expenses or to make up for missed days from work? Is this single mom supposed to simply shove her battered kindergartner back into the class where she was abused, at the same school that failed to investigate, before she's even healed, because people on the internet question her motives in fundraising? Yeah, I'm sure this single mother just has all this spare cash lying around that would allow her to miss work and tend to her battered and scared baby. Again, come on.

God bless this lady and her poor child. Thank God this child has a mother smart enough and strong enough to know what to do and to do what she needed to to help her kid.

 

[Angelonline]

Gitana, I don't understand. the criticism either. She is by all accounts a loving mother, and a single one at that. When no one would listen she turned to the only media she could generate on her own. I think what she did is outstanding. It made the police and the school change their statements.

I hope some of the funds raised can be used for counselling for this precious little girl.

And for whoever asked, it has been reported that an aunt is running the FB page.

 

[Linda7NJ]

Nancy Grace covering this !!!!


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[HMSHood]

I was ready to jot down names and count down the days till 2 little boys became legal adults to tear into them after an incident with my daughter in Kinder. One held ( locked her arms behind her back) her while the other one punched her leaving a small bruise under her eye. It happened at a time when teachers attention was on another student. She didn't tell when things calmed down b/c she thought she would get in trouble b/c she thought it was a fight.

Had I found her at school like this I would give them fair warning you better have the police here tomorrow when I come back to handle this.

What kind of incident on the playground equipment can do this? Are the tether balls made of steal?

This is hard to believe. ( not calling it fake but I hope it is ) I know teachers can not see everything but to not hear this going on? Did she take it like a champ b/c I would have been screaming bloody murder? Something is not right here.

I can't think of any playground equipment would do this. If a tether ball had steel ball, that would result in severe injury and possibly death. I think an adult did this, not a child. Maybe a child and parent are behind it? The parents might of been upset over his or her child being slighted in some way. Just speculation.

 

[Dogface]

I can't bring myself to look at the pictures, and admittedly read the first page of posts and then jumped to the end bc I am already procrastinating on the days duties...when was their recess time? If it was at the end of the day could the injuries not looked so bad at first and then continued swelling?