Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has spoken out against a St. Louis high school following a brutal attack on a 16-year-old student. Bailey expressed deep concern over the school's alleged promotion of divisive racial ideology at the expense of student safety.
Bailey criticized the school for its handling of the incident, stating that it bears partial responsibility for the violence involving teenagers. He highlighted the school's emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and its exclusion of uniformed law enforcement from campus as contributing factors to the incident.
The Attorney General called for accountability from the school, urging it to provide an explanation to the victim's parents and the community regarding the role of these programs in the attack.
Efforts to obtain a response from Hazelwood East High School and the Hazelwood School District regarding Bailey's accusations have been unsuccessful thus far.
Proposed Reforms in Juvenile Justice System
Bailey also addressed broader issues within the state's juvenile justice system in light of the recent violent incident. He emphasized the need for reform to address the rising trend of juveniles committing violent crimes across Missouri.
Referring to the attack on the 16-year-old girl and a previous shooting incident at a Kansas City Chiefs parade, Bailey underscored the importance of holding juvenile offenders accountable. He advocated for trying the suspect in the brawl as an adult and pursuing murder charges if warranted.
Victim's Condition and Legal Action
The victim, identified as Kaylee, sustained severe injuries during the altercation, including a fractured skull and life-threatening brain swelling and bleeding. She remains unconscious and is fighting for her life, according to her family's attorney.
A 15-year-old girl has been arrested in connection with the assault and is currently facing assault charges.
The Attorney General pledged to closely monitor the case and push for accountability within the juvenile justice system to address such incidents effectively.
