DEARBORN, Mich. – Three students at Fordson High School in Dearborn were charged Friday in connection with an assault in the locker room before football practice.
The students are sophomores and charged as juveniles. Each were charged with one count of assault and battery.
The incident happened Oct. 9. Prosecutors said a 13-year-old freshman was assaulted by the three sophomores and one of the boys exposed himself to the victim.
Rumors flew on social media about an incident about an alleged rape and the students were suspended.
Video of the alleged naked locker room beat-down was posted online, along with the names of the people involved, with no regard for their privacy.
"The behavior exhibited by these students will not be tolerated," Superintendent Glenn Maleyko said.
Maleyko spoke to the board about the incident, which students said involved three members of the Fordson High School junior varsity football team assaulting a freshman player in the locker room.
"As soon as it came to our attention, we had administration on it," Maleyko said. "The students were removed from school and we've been in contact with the Dearborn police from the start."
Maleyko released the following statement after charges were filed Friday:
"From the moment this incident was brought to our attention both the District and Dearborn Police have conducted a thorough investigation following all proper protocols and maintaining student confidentiality. Those involved in this incident are minors and the District will uphold both the legal and moral obligation to protect their identities.
We are aware of the charges that were filed by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office. Due to student privacy law it is not possible for the District to make any additional comments regarding these charges. Any questions about the charges being brought against the three minors involved in the incident at Fordson should be addressed by the Dearborn Police.
Our legal obligation to refrain from commenting on this situation in a public forum is in no way intended to be interpreted as defending, minimizing, or attempting to hide the actions of the students involved. As mentioned in previous comments, behaviors that violate our Student Code of Conduct will not be tolerated in the Dearborn Public Schools. The District will continue to provide due process to address the behavior of these students and take all appropriate disciplinary actions."
A Nov. 20 pretrial hearing is scheduled in juvenile court.