Miami

Police Arrest Student Accused of Body-Slamming Another Student at Citrus Grove Middle School

Mom of older boy says he was acting in self-defense

Police have arrested a student who body-slammed another student at a Miami school Tuesday, sending him to the hospital.

The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. after dismissal outside Citrus Grove Middle School.

According to Miami-Dade Schools Police, a 10-year-old 6th grader threw a Styrofoam cup with ice at a 14-year-old 8th grader, hitting him in the face. The boy who was hit by the cup grabbed the other one from behind, turned him upside down and body-slammed him head-first on the concrete floor, police said.

The boy could not move, had blurred vision and lost consciousness before he was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital's Ryder Trauma Center, officials said. Miami Fire Rescue officials said the 10-year-old victim was in serious condition.

The 14-year-old was arrested and taken to the juvenile assessment center. He appeared before a juvenile judge Wednesday to face a battery charge.

After the hearing, the teen's mother said it was self-defense.

"My son defended himself. My son is not the aggressor in this situation," Barbara Elenberg said. "My son is not happy, he feels bad that he hurt the boy but good that he defended himself. I mean, if you guys were being bullied and somebody threw something at you, what would you do?"

Elenberg said her son was provoked before the incident with the cup.

"The boy that went to the hospital has been bullying my son for quite some time. Yesterday, that boy decided that he was going to throw a lemonade cup, ice and all at my son," she said.

Elenberg said her son has been suspended for 10 days.

A spokesperson for Miami-Dade County Public Schools said neither student had ever formally complained of bullying. Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho called the behavior unacceptable.

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