A high school student is recovering from being hospitalized in an assault by multiple boys. Her family tells 12News they want to see accountability.
PHOENIX — Police in Phoenix are investigating a violent group assault that left a high school student unconscious and hospitalized after she was attacked near a light rail stop.
The incident happened on Wednesday, April 8, near 19th Avenue and Camelback Road, as the teen was on her way home from school.
According to the victim and her family, the girl had boarded the light rail after classes at Central High School. During the ride, she said a group of teenage boys began harassing her, with one allegedly groping her.
When she exited the train, the situation escalated.
Video reviewed by the family and 12News shows the girl being pulled to the ground by her hair and dragged into the street, where she was repeatedly punched and kicked. The assault left her unconscious.
She was taken to the hospital with cuts to her face and a neck injury that required a brace.
Her mother, Lucero Orozco, described the moment she arrived at the scene as overwhelming.
“When I got to the scene, I remember running, and I was feeling everything, but when I saw her, my body dissociated what was happening,” Orozco said.
Orozco said the emotional toll has been just as severe as the physical injuries.
“As a parent, you don’t want them to feel that—you can’t shelter them from the world,” she said. “My daughter’s traumatized, and I can’t take that away from her. As a parent, you want to fix things, but this is probably one I can’t fix.”
The teen, Ayane, said she continues to experience fear and anxiety following the attack.
“I’m just scared,” she said. “My heart starts beating fast. When I see someone I know, I panic, and I want to leave.”
Police said the investigation remains ongoing, and no arrests have been made as detectives work to identify those involved.
Orozco said the Phoenix Union High School District has taken steps to help her daughter feel safe returning to school.
“They really are standing up, and I do appreciate the school and the district,” she said. “They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, and I’m grateful.”
As her daughter recovers, Orozco said the family hopes sharing their story raises awareness and leads to accountability.
“I don’t want her to fall through the cracks,” she said. “I don’t want my daughter to think someone can do something like this and nothing’s going to happen.”
The family is also facing mounting medical bills as the teen continues her recovery. They started a fundraiser in hopes that the community would support them. You can find that here.
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