Assault Charge Dropped Against 10-Year-Old Boy Who Injured Classmate in Dodgeball Game

It’s a simple case of dodgeball that led to a 10-year-old boy facing criminal charges.

Cameishi Triplett Lindley wrote in a Facebook fundraising post last week that her son, Bryce, was suspended from Eriksson Elementary School in Canton Township, Michigan.

It came after he allegedly threw a ball at another child during a game of dodgeball.

He was then charged with aggravated assault over the April 29 incident.

Now after a public outcry a Michigan prosecutor has dismissed the case.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy said in a statement Wednesday that although the charge is “certainly sustainable,” the case is being dismissed.

“I have no doubt that both families involved love their children and want the best for them. But I do think that there is a better way to go forward at this time,” she said in a statement.

“It is my earnest hope that both sides will come back to the table to work out a solution that benefits both of these children.”

Bryce allegedly threw the ball during the game which resulted in the other student having a concussion. He was later suspended from school. 

“After meeting with the Principal about why Bryce was suspended while the other students who fully participated in this game were not, the Principal disclosed that the injured student has a pre-existing condition,” Lindley wrote on Facebook.

Bryce’s mom was told the student had chronic brain stem infliction.

“Clearly, this student should not have been playing a physical contact sport,” she wrote.

But matters soon turned extremely serious for Lindely and her son.

Bryce was being charged with aggravated assault in the 3rd Circuit Juvenile Court in Detroit, Michigan.

“I’m just as shocked as those of you reading our story,” Lindley wrote in the Facebook post, which was a fundraiser to help them with legal expenses.

“Nonetheless, I am asking for your assistance in securing a Lawyer for Bryce. He is scheduled to appear next week in court on 8/1. The Attorney fees are $4,000. Thank each of you for your help and prayers.”

According to a police report filled after the incident, Bryce intentionally threw the ball at the boy’s face.

“He sustained facial issue damage to his face. He had a black eye and a bruised nose,” a parent at the school told local station WXYZ-TV

The mother of the boy who was hit with the ball, told WXYZ-TV her son had been hit before. 

She said she reported what happened to the school in in mid-April.

“My son was hit twice in the face with a ball previously due to this. The child apologized to my son and my son said ‘Mom, it’s OK, we’re still going to be friends,’” the mother, who remained anonymous, told the station. However, the incident on April 29th was the final straw, she said. She claims she is worried for her child’s safety. 

Lindley said she was not aware of any of the previous incidents. But insists problems like this should be solved in the classroom — not the courtroom.