A Missouri family is demanding accountability after their son was violently attacked on the school bus. Matthew Jordan Jr., 12, has autism, and his parents say it has made him an easy target for bullies. The boy is constantly being picked on by fellow students, and despite the parents’ constant complaints, nothing seems to be changing. Their complaints didn’t stop at the school level — the parents took their concerns all the way to the district, and still not enough changed. Now, they’re using this attack as an example of how bad things can get when kids aren’t properly protected.
Footage of the attack has been going around on social media.
According to the boy and his family, the fight escalated after a student began touching Matthew’s hair while he quietly sat on the bus, they told Fox 4. The attack, which was caught on camera, shows students aggressively hitting the boy. During the attack, others can be heard laughing in the background.
“I felt sad, raged up — and angry,” Matthew Jordan Jr. said, adding that he expected to be attacked “because I have autism.”
“It hurts — to the core, it hurts,” his father, Matthew Jordan Sr., said. His mother, Tiara Jenkins, agreed. “My main concern was his safety — him leaving the home outside of my hands things of that sort I can only imagine how many times he cried for us,” she said.
The school district released a statement.
“We were deeply troubled by the video of this incident, and our thoughts are with the student and family impacted,” the Fort Osage School District said in a statement the New York Post published. “We are taking this situation seriously, and we understand the concern this causes for our entire school community. Our team has been investigating this situation and appropriate disciplinary actions are being taken in accordance with Board of Education policies.”
They also said they are working with Matthew’s family to ensure he “has a positive educational experience.” However, they also said they wouldn’t give specific details about what disciplinary action will be taken against his attackers.
Still, the family feels the statement isn’t enough.
Matthew’s father feels the statement is just a statement, and not an indication of any actual remorse.
“Do better. Do better because at the end of the day it’s easy to make a long statement and make it sound good but I’m all about action,” Matthew Jordan Sr. said.
Despite their failings, Matthew went back to school the day after his attack, even though he was still recovering. His parents praised him for his courage.
“I’m just super proud of Matthew. He’s my light. I can’t go a minute without thinking about what they’re doing,” Jenkins said.
The parents said that transferring their son to another school isn’t an option. In their mind, leaving will let the bullies think they’ve won. Instead, they want to stay, demand accountability, and fight for fundamental change.
And as for Matthew? He has one simple wish. “Stop bullying. I wanted them to stop bullying we would be just fine.”
