Attack on autistic Mishawaka teen posted to YouTube

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Attack on autistic Mishawaka teen posted to YouTube


news video: http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/27553514.html?video=YHI&t=a

webpage: http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/27553514.html

autistic Mishawaka boy in the face. The video was posted to YouTube.

Story Created: Aug 27, 2008 at 5:42 PM EDT

Story Updated: Aug 27, 2008 at 6:15 PM EDT

MISHAWAKA — A 16-year-old with autism was punched in the face, and someone posted video of the attack on YouTube.


The incident happened in June at Merrifield Park, but the family did not see who was responsible for the attack until the video was posted.

Now the family wants the teen attacker to face charges.

Mishawaka police are now involved but because an investigation is pending, they refused to comment.

The family has plenty to say after their 16-year-old was punched in the face for the cyber-world's amusement.

“I know the kid knows [he] has problems, so I don't know why he would do that,” said Joyce Vermillion, mother of the boy who was hit.

The attack on the autistic teen was caught on camera and placed online for the world to see.

“I was really mad that someone would be that cruel and put it on a computer,” said Vermillion.

“It was absolutely horrible,” added Amber Fairchild, the boy's sister.

Vermilion and Fairchild re-live the horror every time they see the video.

“You can see in the videotape where [he’s] not realizing quite what's going to happen to him because he's standing there and he's smiling,” Vermillion said.

The attack lasted two minutes.

“He wasn't even doing anything,” Fairchild said. “The kid just walked up to him and you see my brother backing up in the video.”

After 30 seconds of talking, the attacker throws the punch, knocking the victim to the ground.

Psychologist Hugh VanAuken said violent incidents posted online appear to be growing in popularity.

“They’re looking for a thrill,” VanAuken said.

Dr. VanAuken believes with advances in technology, bullies get pleasure as people around the world respond to their attacks.

“In the 1980s and 90s, playing video games was fun for kids,” VanAuken said. “Now we have kids seeking their thrills by being aggressive, posting it on the Internet, and showing everyone how cool they are in doing these sorts of things."

While the 16-year-old's attack is no longer on YouTube, his sister captured the video from the site to show police.

“First it was bad enough that they did it. Then they videotaped it. Then they made it into a joke. They did it in slow motion and they replayed it frame by frame," Fairchild said. "It hurts my feelings so bad, it hurts my heart.”

The family says the boy's face was swollen after the attack, but since then he has been doing well.

The video helped the family identify his attacker, who attends the same high school.

Mishawaka police said the police report was filed Tuesday and officers are on the case.

I am glad the police are looking into this evil.

This saddens me greatly. I think the mother is ignorant a bit though. Her comment on how the attacker knew he had problems, so why would he do it? well, it's most likely *because* he's different! What, does she think people with problems go through life with everyone loving them and being nice to them?!

That's just disgusting. I can't see why ANYONE would ever watch such a thing. At least they know who did it and can make sure they're punished.

First, I personally don't like the fact that they keep stressing the fact that the kid is autistic, and I don't like how the kids mother in the video refers to her son as "having problems." Mom of the year! Maybe that's just me though. Second, I've read about this kind of trend before, where people attack people just to post it on the internet. From what I've read it's very popular in certain parts of the world, and is starting to catch on in the US.

if I had a genie I would have him execute all those who videotape themselves assaulting a person unprovoked and unwarranted.

Was autism part of the motivation for this act? There's no clear evidence for that. Yes, part of the "thrill" of bullying is showing off and demonstrating dominance. It's a (very selfish) method of social advancement. This kid was probably targeted because of his social awkwardness, not because the bully knows he "has problems". Bullying like this happens all the time. While it's possible, one can't assume he was bullied because of a label.

But even more importantly, one can not fairly compare bullying to playing video games. What is that guy on?

This is so sad, I mean this very well could have been a hate crime. They went to the same school so chances are this punk knew he was autistic but he does not have any balls so he went after someone who wouldn't fight back because he is a pathetic worm.

As much as this is percived as a hate crime, I would not think jail would be an appropiate sentence for him.

Honestly, he should pay some compentation to the victim plus court costs, and six months probation.

Isn't there juvenile detention centers? The perp was a teenager.

It seems people favour locking up and giving up on the person. The best route of correction is education. Encouraging the use of anger problems, etc.
Sometimes help is needed more than having someone give up on you. I've been locked up up, didn't improve me any. I just now have a NEW obsession, catching up on time wasted doing -nothing-
I've now become more impatient as a result, so jail, for me has worsened me

What has the world come to these days, kids going around beating up other kids and putting them up on the internet for others to see. I don't think they're cool at all, I think they are cruel nasty jerks and I won't comment on any of their videos if I see one or else they win. Why? Because I gave them what they wanted. They do want people to respond to their videos and doing it means they won. Maybe this would all stop if everyone stopped responding to their videos because the bullies aren't getting what they want.