Local

Local mom unable to file charges against student who attacked her son due to school protocol

A local mother says her 12-year-old son left Oceanway Middle School bruised and with broken glasses on April 24.

“Another little boy had decided to pick up his trumpet case with the trumpet in it and strike my son in the temple,” Cindy Hereford said.

She said she tried to get a resource officer to the school.

When she was told by administrators an officer wouldn’t make it, she contacted Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

“They’re telling me it happened on school grounds, so as a parent I have to follow school protocol. I cannot go through JSO," Hereford said.

According to Hereford a rule requiring a school resource officer to file the initial report is preventing her from filing charges.

In April, Action News Jax told you the mother of a Sandalwood High School student was facing a similar issue.

“Why is it that the school is not doing something to protect the kids? That’s what I don’t understand,” said Hereford.

Action News Jax reached out to the Duval County School District.

A spokesperson sent a statement that said they cannot discuss the matter publicly due to privacy laws.

Hereford said she received a letter from the school saying it’s being investigated as an act of bullying.

“As a parent,  I’m sorry, I want to be able to take the steps that I need to protect my child. I’d like to take this to the state attorney,” Hereford said.