BAKERSFIELD - A concerned mother says her son is being bullied and facing racial attacks at Garces Memorial High School. She claims to have video proof to back it up. She says she gave that proof to the school, but nothing has been done.
One of the videos she has shows a Garces student saying, "What are you doing around here you (expletive) colored? I'll hang you by a (expletive) damn tree colored. I ain't scared."
The concerned mother says it was posted on a social network site belonging to a Garces student, and the hateful words and numerous posts were meant for her African American son.
"He had a picture of my son, so evidently that was directed toward my son and probably any other black child and any other African American kid that is over there," said the mother who did not want to be identified. She said she wants to protect her son from future retaliation after enduring bullying and racial slurs every day in summer school.
"First day of school should be a fun day of school not a day to sit in the corner and someone call you the n-word," said the mother.
The mother says there is another video showing the bully saying "shoot" to her son, with his back turned in class.
"Evidently something is bothering this kid to have a mind to want to do something like that," said the mother.
She says she took the videos to Garces officials two weeks ago and officials have talked to the accused bully's parents, but no disciplinary action has been taken. And, her son has reached his breaking point.
"If you think it's not right to get rid of this kid or get this kid some help then shame on you. But, get this kid some help. And, what about my son? My son's the victim here. He always wanted to become a Ram and this was something special for him and this is what happened to him," said the mother.
After 17 News contacted Garces late Wednesday afternoon, we received a statement from Richard Sexton from the Office of Catholic Schools in Fresno. It says, "Garces Memorial High School does not tolerate any racial or hate-based language or behavior by anyone associated with the school. This type of behavior by a student may result in the student's dismissal. This prohibited behavior is clearly addressed in the school's code of conduct."
As required by both federal and state privacy statutes, the school will not discuss or release the following: any evidence obtained, the progress of the investigation, the names of any alleged perpetrators or victims, the names of any witnesses, and the final decision of a disciplinary investigation. The more serious the act, the more time the school will spend conducting its investigation. This is especially true when one of the possible disciplinary options could result in a student's expulsion.