UPDATE: Athens Student Caused Injuries to Herself
Adam Russell, Morning Telegraph (Tyler), April 10, 2008
A 13-year-old girl who claimed she was attacked by a group inside Athens Middle School was caught on a surveillance camera causing the injuries to herself.
The girl now faces disciplinary action from the school and will be charged with filing a false police report, AISD superintendent Fred Hayes said during a news conference today.
The parents of Melanie Bowers have since sent letters of apology to school and law enforcement investigators.
Hayes said officials in investigating the matter saw the tape that caught her scratching herself on the arms and neck. Last week she had claimed the injuries were inflicted by a group of about 20 students who also threatened to sexually assault and kill her.
{snip}
Hayes said Monday, a review of the allegations show that three students took the sign from her and that she reported the incident and was sent back to class. Later, the three students who took the sign were suspended.
[Editor’s Note: The original account of this matter can be read here.]
