PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — A teen accused of beating an autistic classmate in a Graham-Kapowsin High School bathroom faced a judge for the first time Friday.
KIRO 7 found out that is not the first time the 15-year-old suspect has had a run-in with the law.
Prosecutors had filed assault charges against the teen caught on camera attacking another 15-year-old student.
The autistic student was repeatedly punched in the face as classmates watched and recorded the beating.
According to court documents, the attack started as retribution for the victim reporting other students vaping in the past.
The victim’s mother, Nell Vance, had spoken with KIRO 7 and said her son Landon had no idea what was going on during the attack.
“Absolutely defenseless and obviously clueless to what’s going on and just hearing the sound of him crying and knowing this happened to him and I couldn’t do anything to stop it,” Vance said.
Landon suffered a chipped tooth and welts to the back of his head.
As for the teen suspect, a judge ruled on Friday he could go home, with the requirement that his mother watches him at all times.
The teen was also banned from having any contact with the victim.
In addition, the teen is not allowed to be on the campus of the high school.
After the court appearance, Landon’s family said they supported the judge’s decision.
“I think that’s necessary to be with your family regardless of what’s going on. Your family holds you at your highest and regardless of the circumstances he’s in, I hope they all know that this isn’t OK. It’s not OK to cross these lines,” the victim’s brother, Alex Vance said.
Landon’s family said they hope these charges will help to prevent and discourage future incidents of bullying and violence on school campuses.