10-year-old charged with assault after dodgeball game at school

It’s a game that we’ve likely all played before — dodgeball.

But after one particular game outside of a Michigan elementary school, a 10-year-old player has been charged with aggravated assault, WXYZ in Detroit reports.

The student’s mother, Cameishi Lindley, told WXYZ she was contacted by the Wayne County Juvenile Court and informed that her son Bryce was being charged for injuring a classmate during a game of dodgeball on April 29 at Ruth Eriksson Elementary School. Bryce was given a one-day suspension the following day.

“These kids are basically playing a game we all have played,” she told the TV station.

According to WXYZ, the police report says a student was struck in the face with the ball, something the mother of the injured boy claims was intentional.

The station spoke with the mother, who asked she and her son remain nameless. “He sustained facial issue damage to his face. He had a black eye and a bruised nose,” she told the station. Medical records show the boy was diagnosed with a concussion.

The injured boy’s mother said her son has a condition that makes it very dangerous for him to endure head injuries.

The then-fourth-grade boys were playing a version of dodgeball in which students throw the balls into the air, Lindley said.

“After meeting with the Principal about why Bryce was suspended while the other students who fully participated in this game were not, the Principal disclosed that the injured student has a pre-existing condition,” Lindley wrote in a Facebook post. “Clearly, this student should not have been playing a physical contact sport.”

“I tried not to let it get to this point,” the injured boy’s mom told WXYZ. “My son was hit twice in the face with a ball previously due to this. The child apologized to my son, and my son said, ‘Mom, it’s OK we’re still going to be friends.’” However, she told the news station she had to take action to ensure her son’s safety.

Lindley, who told WXYZ she was unaware of any pervious incidents, started a fundraising campaign on Facebook to help pay for Bryce’s defense. As of Tuesday afternoon, the effort had raised more than $12,000 from more than 450 people.

“I’m sorry that her child got hurt. I’d be sorry for any child that got hurt,” Lindley said.

A pre-trial conference will be held Thursday in Juvenile Court.