Trenton mothers find some justice for their bullied kids
Two Trenton mothers have gained justice for their daughters who were victims of physical and verbal bullying.
While one Mercer County Family Court judge instructed a mother to not disclose the decisions rendered on behalf of her daughter. He apparently advised that more parents should pursue a legal remedy when children become victims of school violence, especially if they feel school officials fail to take appropriate action.
Yarissa Roldan became an advocate in the fight against bullying after her 10th-grade daughter suffered an attack at Trenton Central High School. The December 2022 unprovoked beating left her daughter unconscious on a school hallway floor. Caught on video, the attack included a plea by a friend for the fallen classmate to “Get up!” Both injured teens were transported to Capital Health Regional Medical Center.
Roldan gained justice for her daughter as two assailants were handed punishment for their participation in the attack. The recent court decision identified and punished a third party involved in the bullying and attack.
In another incident that occurred in February 2023, a 14-year-old, eighth-grade female student suffered a beating and threats by a classmate at Martin Luther King School. The daughter and mother feared for their safety but friends and supporters encouraged them to pursue police intervention.
Interviewed inside their East Ward home, both appeared traumatized by the attack.
“I didn’t remember much after being knocked down. I just remember coming to and lots of people standing around making videos with their phones and shouting, ‘Fight. Fight’,” the girl recalled.
According to a source familiar with this case although not permitted to speak publicly about the incident, the assailant received a harsh verdict that involves a restraining order, community service, psychological support, a fingerprint release, and a requirement that she attend school regularly.
The judge encouraged the victim to stay in school and to never be afraid to pursue justice.