Whitko Student Beaten At School

SOUTH WHITLEY - A 15-year-old Whitko High School girl was beaten at school Monday by a 16-year-old classmate.

Britney Riley suffered a concussion, black eye, cuts and scratches and is reportedly having some memory problems. A doctor's appointment today cleared her of any long-term brain injuries, though a physician reportedly told the family her memory of the incident may never return.

According to the victim's father, Tim Riley, the attack happened Monday in a school hallway. Britney had reportedly been involved in a two-year ordeal with the other girl, that included threats which Britney reported to the school.

Karen Riley, Britney's mother, said in addition to her daughter, she has reported threats many times to school authorities.

"The school had been warned. I warned them two days in a row... then boom, this happened," Karen Riley said.

Many details of the fight are unclear because of Britney's impaired memory.

"All we know for sure is that a girl approached my daughter, said she's gonna kick her butt," Tim Riley said. "My daughter tried to avoid confrontation ... she turned around, and that girl was charging at her."

Tim Riley said they don't know how long the beating lasted because his daughter's memory is faulty, but said by the looks of Britney, it went on for a while.

The fight was stopped, Tim Riley said, when a teacher exited a classroom and noticed a circle of students surrounding the girls. When the male teacher approached, the fight ended.

School principal Jim Suding said he was not at liberty to disclose information regarding the incident but he did confirm an ongoing conflict between the girls. The fight, he said, was "a situation where two girls got into it."

Regarding disciplinary action, both girls were "dealt with accordingly." They each received an unspecified suspension.

When asked about Karen Riley's reports of threats, Suding confirmed he had received reports of trouble between the girls and that each situation where threats are reported is dealt with differently. "Sometimes parents get a one-sided story..." Suding said. "Each situation must be weighed differently based on its merits."

Suding also noted that in all situations of school violence, parents are free to pursue charges.

In March, another 15-year-old girl was seriously beaten at Whitko High School. She was in a coma for three days, suffering from brain injuries from having her head repeatedly beaten against the floor.

Karen Riley said she's sick and tired of the way things are going in the school.

"As parents, we want to feel that our children are safe going to school and we want our kids to feel safe at school. That's just not the case," Karen Riley said.

Legal action against the school and the assailant is a possibility, Karen Riley said, though a plan of action has not yet been determined.

Parents of the 16-year-old who beat Britney Riley could not be reached for comment.