Lawrence County student allegedly attacked by a parent on the bus

Published 10:46 am Thursday, February 15, 2018

An adult boarded a Lawrence County school bus and attacked an 11th grade student recently.

The alleged attacker is the mother of another Lawrence County High School student, and, based on media reports given by the alleged victim, the woman repeatedly threatened her with violence in the months leading up to the clash. The name of the assailant has not yet been released by law enforcement.

A cell phone video of the fight recently went viral, and the recording shows the student trading blows with the adult.

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According to Sheriff Lessie Butler, Lawrence County deputies responded to the altercation during the school’s afternoon drop-off period.

“Evidently, they must have been at a stop where the children were getting off. She must have ran pretty fast and got on,” he said.

Upon returning to school after the fight, the alleged victim claims she received a nine-day school suspension, was suspended from the school bus for the remainder of the academic year and was reassigned from her regular classes to the district’s alternative education program.

Tammy Fairburn, superintendent of Lawrence County Schools, said she is not at liberty to discuss matters involving students or personnel. However, she believes her office handled the situation to the best of its ability.

“This has not been taken lightly. The incident has been addressed and appropriate action has been taken,” she said.

Law enforcement officials are still in the process of gathering evidence, but Butler believes the case will ultimately be presented to the Lawrence County Justice Court.

“There’s a good possibility the mother is going to face charges,” he said.