Ohio teacher required ‘major brain surgery’ after being assaulted by a student, who may have been under the influence of drugs

A 16-year-old student was arrested in Ohio after his alleged assault on a teacher left her suffering from a traumatic brain injury.

After an initial investigation, officials believe the Colerain High School student in question “ingested an unknown drug” before becoming “distraught,” then assaulting a fellow student and his teacher earlier this month.

The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s office indicated the teacher was punched “multiple times in the head” and was transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.

The assault was so brutal, doctors were forced to remove the teacher’s skull cap to relieve swelling, a procedure the medical center characterized as a “major brain surgery.” 

The teacher’s family told Cincinnati’s FOX19 NOW she had yet to wake up prior to its report on Friday, nearly 24 hours after the alleged assault. 

When police arrived on the scene, the student was reportedly found in a hallucinogenic state and had what appeared to be a self-inflicted head injury. After being treated at the hospital, the student was taken into police custody and transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center. 

School officials later assured parents it was investigating the assault which it called an “isolated incident,” while asking for prayers for those affected and asserting its commitment to school safety. 

“We are actively investigating,” a letter from the school explained. “We ask that our parents join us in keeping both our staff member and our student in your prayers. 

“The district remains resolute in their commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all students and staff.” 

The school also made counselors available for students, staff and families the day after the assault. 

Police say the student was charged with felony assault and will likely also face discipline from the school district. 

Violence and drugs in schools have long been an issue. However, the problems have seen a sharp increase since the pandemic, leaving communities and school districts scrambling to respond. 

As reported previously by The Lion, the rate of adolescent fentanyl overdoses is forcing schools across the country to stock up on Narcan. Children under 14 are dying from fentanyl overdoses at the highest rate of any age group in the nation. 

From 2019 to 2021, Fentanyl overdose deaths rose more than 1,400% for children ages 1 to 14, according to an analysis by Families Against Fentanyl. 

Since schools reopened after the COVID19 lockdowns, districts and communities from around the nation have been dealing with the rise of violence in schools.