A 12-year-old autistic boy was viciously attacked by a group of bullies on his school bus in Independence, Missouri, a disturbing video has revealed. The incident, which occurred on a bus just east of Kansas City, has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about school safety.
Attack Details
Matthew Jordan Jr., the victim, told FOX4 that the bullying began when one of his peers kept touching his hair. According to the boy's parents, this escalated into the violence captured on video obtained by the local outlet. Multiple students are seen punching, hitting, and grabbing Matthew while he screams for them to stop. The assailants continued their assault, laughing as they did so.
'I felt sad, raged up and angry,' Matthew said in an interview. When asked if he thought something like this could happen to him, he responded: 'Yes, because I have autism.'
Family's Reaction
Matthew Jordan Sr., the boy's father, expressed deep hurt upon hearing his son say that his autism invited bullying. The parents say this incident is not isolated but part of a larger pattern of harassment at his school.
'My main concern was his safety – him leaving the home outside of my hands, things of that sort. I can only imagine how many times he cried for us,' said his mother, Tiara Jenkins.
School District Response
The family claims they have raised concerns with the Fort Osage School District, which allegedly did not take them seriously. In a statement to FOX4, the district said it was 'deeply troubled by the video of this incident' and that its thoughts are with the student and family. The statement added: 'Our team has been investigating this situation and appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with Board of Education policies. We have been and will continue to partner with the family to ensure their child has a positive educational experience.'
However, Matthew Jordan Sr. deemed the district's actions insufficient. 'Do better. Do better because at the end of the day it’s easy to make a long statement and make it sound good but I’m all about action,' he said.
Aftermath and Determination
Matthew returned to school the day after the bullying, despite recovering from injuries. His parents admire his courage. 'I’m just super proud of Matthew. He’s my light. I can’t go a minute without thinking about what they’re doing,' Jenkins said.
The family has decided not to transfer Matthew out of the school, stating that it would mean the bullies have won. Instead, they are demanding accountability and further action from the Fort Osage School District to ensure the safety of all students.
