Parents protest after being kept in dark about sex assaults among 1st graders in Texas classroom

Texas parents are protesting at a public elementary school they say failed to notify them of sexual assaults in a 1st grade class.

A family member said that one of the students was forced to perform a sex act on another student, 6, and the incident was recorded on a school-issued iPad, according to EverythingLubbock.com.

The family member also alleged that a male student exposed himself to the same child, which the Plainview Independent School District (PISD) also allegedly failed to report to the family.

“She was like, ‘My stomach hurts. I just want to lay down,’” the family member said, according to local Live 5 News. “You could tell something was wrong with her.” 

The sexual assault happened on April 19 and came to light on April 21 only after parents spread the word on social media, said MyPlainview.com.

Since the disclosure of the incident, tempers have flared so wildly in the community that PISD has canceled classes, and the FBI is investigating threats of violence.

But it’s unclear from the statement issued by the district whether there was a credible threat of violence or if local authorities are just using law-enforcement to harass parents who are legitimately upset by what they view as poor management of a sexual assault on a 6-year-old.

Previously, the Biden administration was criticized for sic’ing the FBI on parents protesting against school boards.

Statements by the school district identify at least five law enforcement agencies are investigating the incident and the threatened violence, but cite no specific threats.

“Plainview ISD and local law enforcement are now working with the FBI regarding the incident that occurred at South Elementary,” said the statement by PISD. “We appreciate the support of the FBI and of their resources to evaluate the multitude of circumstances surrounding the incident. Furthermore, the police investigation has been submitted to the Hale County District Attorney’s Office for evaluation.” 

The district also reported that the incident was being investigated by Child Protective Services in Texas. 

Protesters are calling for the firing of Principal Jennifer Hughey and Superintendent H.T. Sanchez over the incident. The district says that the teacher has been placed on administrative leave.

“We’re just here wanting answers, because there are kids getting sexually assaulted by each other with the teacher in the room,” one parent said in a social media video.

The school district it learned of the incident after the video of the sexual assault was found on a password-protected iPad by a member of the school’s IT department. 

Some parents, however, say the authorities are lying.

“To anyone who has a student at PISD: Your children are NOT safe! Sexual abuse is happening and parents aren’t being notified! Specifically at South elementary,” a post from parent reads, reported by the Avalanche-Journal. “I highly urge you to sit down and talk with your child and find out if anything is happening to them!

“Visits were made to the principal and nothing was done…and lies are being told from the superintendent! [S]o now it’s time to take it to social media and the news!”