Murphey Middle student claims sexual harassment in class / - Crime Headlines for Augusta, Georgia and the CSRA

Site Map · First Alert · Talk to 12

Home · News · StormTeam 12 · News 12 Sports · On Your Side · Community · Contests · 12 on TV · 12 Anywhere · The News 12 Team · Jobs · What's On

EducationTeam12 · HealthTeam12 · CrimeTeam12 · Politics · Entertainment · Traffic · Buzz on Biz · Your Money Matters · Home and Family · Special Coverage

Murphey Middle student claims sexual harassment in class

Save

Posted: 6:30 PM Oct 8, 2008
Last Updated: 6:30 PM Oct 8, 2008
Reporter: Samantha Andre
Email Address: samantha.andre@wrdw.com

18 comments

A | A | A

News 12 at 6 o'clock, October 8, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A middle school student says she was sexually harassed in class and now five kids are kicked out of Murphey Middle School because of it.

News 12 obtained the Richmond County tribunal report. It shows the female student testified that some of the five students put their private parts in her face. Two of them pulled down their pants and exposed themselves to her.

She's the only girl in the class.

"The situation was an unfortunate event, however we are a family here at Murphey. We have done what needed to be done," said Principal Veronica Bolton. "We've pulled together and now we're moving on."

The report shows someone pushed the female student out of her desk, then the teacher walked back in the room. She asked why the girl was on the floor, but she did not realize what happened.

The teacher realized something was wrong when the girl missed school the next day and was nearly in tears when she finally came back to school.

"Shame on you. I think they deserve whatever punishment they receive," said Regina Jones, who has a niece attending Murphey Middle School.

Their punishment is no longer attending the school. All five students, who range from age 13 to 15, were sent to alternative school.

They were found guilty of breaking rule 8 of the student code of conduct, which includes sexual harassment.

County-wide this year, 14 students have been found guilty of breaking the same rule.

No charges have been filed in this case.

More Stories
Traffic stop nets thousands in drugs

Children's identities at risk, just like adults'

Two arrests in murder of Burke County High School student

First on 12: Burke County High School student murdered

Driver flips truck into Augusta Canal

Off-duty work dangerous for local sheriff's deputies

Five 'smash and grabs' in one night on Washington Road

Drug bust in Clearwater

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Kim on Nov 1, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Why in the world are some of you thinking that this little girl is lying? Police have to follow certain procedures. Just because the boys are not charged yet, doesn't mean they won't be. Hasn't anyone watched the news lately? My son would never do these things. Nor would he think it funny! How anyone can get on here and defend these boys are either FAMILY (hence why they are concerned with other's opinions) or they are not parents yet. Let's never give the victim the benefit of the doubt---Let's just worry about the accusers! What is this world coming to?

Posted by: Moe Location: GA on Oct 10, 2008 at 10:37 PM
"righteous indignation"...Pretty big words for someone who writes on a third grade level and doesn't care about his kids. Nice one, Mr. Logic.

Posted by: Mr. Logic Location: MN on Oct 10, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Well Moe you are right. I fail at grammar and spelling and ofter run on but I do not claim to be a journalist or work at a news site. I am commenting on the people here attacking these boys without any proof presented from the article or the video. You seem to be more informed the this news site being that nothing you say is shown in either the video or the text and the fact checking needs to be done by the author not the reader, nothing about other students seeing it happen or being in the class room at the time or anyone admitting to anything after the fact. For someone who is getting paid to do this for a living it's a horrible job and you are just proving my point, in 1 comment you have given us what the article fails to, proof to back up her story. Thanks. As for losing my kids to do my lack of concern for this girl please take your righteous indignation someplace else it is lost on me since your "Way over reacting" type of crazy is a way more dangerous kinda of parenting.

Posted by: Kayla Location: Augusta, GA on Oct 10, 2008 at 09:00 AM
When it was close to the 7th grade, years back. I had a boy do close to the same thing to me, and I was embarrassed and mad. They started making things up that wasn't true, I was so ashamed. If this is a middle school- kids will be kids. and a lot of the times boys don't mean harm, they just think its funny. And that's where the line should be drawled. Maturity should be thought in school. And I bet If they get in trouble with this whole ordeal more then likely it will scare them and deter them away from doing it again. my point is no, they shouldn't be charged as adults but some type of punishment should be taking with the school and not with the authority's. Just scare them and take harsh punishment. It just might put things in perspective. and I also feel they should have to attend a class for the wrongs that they have done and make them realize that "You can't do these things" Believe it or not this stuff happens everyday. They need to be punished,but not to that extent. True?

Posted by: Lisa Location: US on Oct 10, 2008 at 03:10 AM
Appearently if they were kicked out they had to of done something. Though for the crime suggested thats not really a punishment at all. Something isn't right here...

Posted by: Moe Location: GA on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Mr. Logical, according to the Tribunal Report, all 5 boys confessed and told on each other. Before you send out any of your irrational comments, check YOUR facts. Obviously you are not a father of a little girl. If so, you should loose custody because your level of concern for a girl's well-being sucks. By the way, before you tell anyone to take a writing course, you should take your advice. I had to read your comments twice due to the run-ons and bad grammar. Prof is spelled PROOF. Maybe you should go back to Middle School. You write on a third grade level.

Posted by: joe Location: florida on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:28 PM
what was the teacher doing leaving the kids aone n the class????

Posted by: JJ Location: Aiken on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Homeschool. The only option left to keep your child safe.

Posted by: David S Location: Addison on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:35 PM
welcome future rapist

Posted by: Ron Location: Georgia on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:34 PM
I see alot of people posting comments here, but lest we forget that the media tends to blow a story up BEFORE all the evidence or truth comes out. I see nothing in this story that proves that these boys did what they are accused of. So far I see only the word of the girl, no teacher to corroborate, no students listed to tell the tale. But lately people are real fast to think the worst. I personally think that if they did what they are accused of then there would have been charges filed. What they are accused of is in fact SEXUAL BATTERY, a criminal felony offense, But yet no charges, perhaps there is more to the story that is NOT being told, perhaps not all of what she has said was true. Just a thought. But Pass judgement when we have ALL the facts.

Posted by: amber Location: SD on Oct 9, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Mr. Logical - The whole class witnessed it.

Posted by: Mr. Logical Location: MN on Oct 9, 2008 at 04:38 PM
So not one word of evidence and yet all of you just jump on the "poor girl" band wagon. God people it's not like a woman has ever lied before about stuff like this "she testified" is all I read hear so no one else in the class backed up the story? no teacher in the room for how long? long enough for 5 boys to get out of there desks and *** *** her and get back to there seats? I smell BS!!! hmmm so more likely little miss gets all mad because some boy knocked her out of a chair or embarrassed for falling all by her self and getting laughed at decides to make stuff up to get those mean boys in trouble. Tell me I am wrong there is just as much prof I am right as your lame assumptions that they did it, no prof no charges and 5 boys lives ruined on the word of 1 little girl nice, either way this is a horrible article with no info take a writing course Samantha and add some facts to your story. P.S. If there was one piece of evidence I would be the first in line to beat these kids. Mr. Logic

Posted by: Mike Divola Location: GA on Oct 9, 2008 at 04:29 PM
"This is OUTRAGEOUS! this is what happens America when you say its OK to have pornography easily at hand on the internet," FAIL Nice strawman argument. However, studies have disproved the link between pornography and overt sexual violence. Perhaps you should educate yourself instead of spouting out nonsense.

Posted by: Dan Location: SC on Oct 9, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Shane on the school system.. these kids think they can do whatever adults do... so lock them up like adults... they are scum.

Posted by: lm Location: augusta on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:59 AM
This is OUTRAGEOUS! this is what happens America when you say its OK to have pornography easily at hand on the internet, just a click away for these kids to see and become immune to perversion! God Bless this country we need you Lord, now MORE than ever.

Posted by: queenbee035 Location: augusta ga on Oct 9, 2008 at 11:09 AM
I cannot believe they did file charges on those boys.what they need to do is make examples out of them by pressing sexual charges on them. and lock them up. if you can do the crime make them do time. these kids are doing things they should'nt be doing. sendig them to an alternative school.and thats all they do is nt teaching them nothing.14 students somthing not right with this world. think about what if that was your child what would you do??? I say lock they tails up and let them see what it feels like to be with some real criminals. then see if they like it. all i want is for kids to do is get along. put the devil in his place. under or feet where he belong...

Posted by: JOMO Location: USA on Oct 9, 2008 at 10:31 AM
What is Richmond County going to do when these kids gang bang some poor woman, slap them on the wrist?

Posted by: uhhh... Location: augusta on Oct 9, 2008 at 08:50 AM
i can't believe charges have not been filed. if there is no punishment now imagine what they will do next time they want to bully a woman, and show their little package.

CrimeTeam 12 Links
	Forthcoming Judicial Opinions Click here to see a list of upcoming opinions from the Supreme Court of Georgia.
	Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI)
	South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED)
	Richmond County Sheriff's Office
	Columbia County Sheriff's Office
	Search Incident Reports Click here to search for and view incident reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office.
	Aiken County Sheriff's Office
	Sex Offender Information