Lawrence student burned with lighter on bus

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - A Lawrence North High School learning-disabled student says he was assaulted by three classmates on the bus ride home Monday afternoon.

His grandmother, who asked we conceal her family’s identity, says three students burned her grandson’s ear and other body parts with a lighter.

“Three boys, they been picking on him all year and this time they got physical with him,” said the teen’s grandmother. “They usually just flip him in the back of the ear or verbally abuse him. This time they burned the back of his ear and held a lighter up to his pants.”

She also said the other students burned the whiskers on his chin.

The district spokesperson, Mary Louise Bewley says surveillance video does show the accused removing a hat, but nothing else.

"We were unable to substantiate claims the child is making after reviewing the bus video," Bewley told 24-Hour-News 8.

According to a Lawrence Police Department report, the 17-year-old said three students threw his hat on the ground and began stomping on it.

The three boys, who all are special needs students, were sent home after showing up to school today.

The district is working closely with Lawrence Police as the investigation continues. 

But the districts anti-bullying policy says threats and assaults will not be tolerated. Students who commit such acts are subject to suspension, expulsion, arrest and /or prosecution.

Still no word on if the students will be allowed back in class tomorrow.