A Chicago mother has described the profound trauma she and her young family are suffering after a vicious attack by a group of schoolchildren was captured on video and shocked the United States.
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
Corshawnda Hatter, a 33-year-old mother of two, was trying to protect her nine-year-old son from bullies near Orville T Bright Elementary School when the situation escalated into a horrifying physical assault. The incident occurred on Monday at around 3pm in the 10600 block of South Bensley Avenue on Chicago's Far South Side.
Hatter revealed that the group of children first mocked her appearance before backing her into a fence and assaulting her with punches and slaps. The violence intensified as they dragged the mother to the ground and continued beating her. While Hatter was being stomped on, the children also violently pulled down her son and began to hit him.
In a heartfelt social media post following the ordeal, Hatter wrote, 'I can still hear the cries of my kids saying: "Mommy, help me. I'm hurt, I'm scared"'. She expressed a devastating sense of helplessness, adding, 'I feel like I failed my kids but also didn't wanna put my hands on a minor.'
Injuries and Aftermath
The attack left both Hatter and her son in a critical condition, requiring immediate transport to Trinity Hospital. Compounding her recovery, Hatter suffers from sickle cell anemia, a condition that can cause chronic pain and fatigue. She reported that her left leg had worsened significantly after the assault.
Hatter also claimed that one of the attackers, a 12-year-old boy, targeted her six-year-old daughter, pulling her hair during the disturbing incident. She stated that the children were 'literally waiting the way we walk home' with the clear intention of ambushing her family.
In response to the threat, the family is now being relocated to a different home to ensure their safety, according to reports from ABC7.
Community and Official Response
The shocking footage of the assault prompted a strong reaction from city officials and the community. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he was 'deeply disturbed' by the video and affirmed that such behaviour is 'unacceptable in our city'. He confirmed his office is working with the Chicago Housing Authority to provide support for the Hatter family.
Illinois state senator Willie Preston echoed the public sentiment, telling NBC Chicago, 'No mother should be that helpless and be targeted by children inside of her own community.' He has called for a meeting with school officials to address the incident.
Dozens of supporters have rallied behind the mother-of-two as she bravely speaks out. Grant Hatter, the father of her son, emphasised the need for justice, stating that 'something' needed to be done to the children responsible. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack.
