IN: Should School Officials Have Called An Ambulance For Injured Teen?

Dated: 11/24/2008 23:37:26 Updated: 11/24/2008 23:46:32

Story by: Scott Adkins
http://www.abc25.com/dsp_story.cfm?storyid=9916&RequestTimeout=500

HOPKINS CO. - NEWS 25 is getting answers after a teen is badly beaten in the middle of a Tri-State high school.

Hopkins County School administrators confirm they didn't call an ambulance, but the teen's injuries were so bad he had to be transferred from one hospital to another.

This is not your typical high school push-and-shove. Instead, school leaders and the county attorney are calling this a "violent assault," those words from James Lee Stevens, Hopkins County Schools Superintendent.

"What I don't understand is that, that school didn't call an ambulance. He needed an ambulance and they didn't call it. I was terrified when I saw him," Sabrina Hulsey said, the victim's mother.

Superintendent James Stevens said a 17-year-old student assaulted a 16-year-old before classes started at Hopkins County Central High School and was immediately checked by a school nurse.

The victim's mother revealed pictures of her son's injuries to NEWS 25 and, therefore, released the name of the student.

Dakota Hulsey, 16, incurred severe injuries and bruises to his face, including a broken nose and broken facial bone near his eye. His mother also said his jaw, gums and teeth were severely bruised and knocked out of socket.

When Hulsey's mother arrived to Hopkins County Central High, she "barely recognized him. I was just absolutely terrified. His teeth and his face and the blood, I just couldn't believe what I saw," Hulsey said.

Hulsey took the 16-year-old to Regional Medical Center. She says her son's injuries were so bad that he was transported by ambulance to St. Mary's Medical Center in Evansville.

NEWS 25 asked Stevens why school leaders didn't call for medical attention at the high school.

"We're still investigating. A nurse was at the facility. A nurse did look at him and administer first aid. We just have to review through the process," Stevens said. "It's very depressing that we have this. The Board of Education does not tolerate this and we want the safety of our students."
Stevens said there is not surveillance video or pictures of the actual assault. It's unclear what may have provoked the altercation.

The 17-year-old is charged with 4th degree assault, according to Hopkins County Attorney, Todd P'Pool. The teen is set for arraignment on December 1st.

The Hulsey family told NEWS 25 they haven't decided on legal action.