A young teenager suffered a serious injury after making a joke in a school cafeteria, resulting in sections of his skull being removed and 60 staples inserted into his head, as shared by his parents.
On August 21, Lukas Hardeman, a 14-year-old described as ‘creative and loving’, was reportedly attacked at his middle school in Kilgore, Texas.
According to reports, Lukas hit his head on a stool connected to a cafeteria table after being ‘picked up and body slammed’ by another student in response to a joke he made.
The injury led to ‘multiple brain bleeds and severe swelling’, as detailed on a GoFundMe page created by his family.
Upon reaching Dallas’ Children’s Hospital, medical professionals removed two portions of Lukas’ skull to ‘relieve the pressure and bleeding’ and used 60 staples to secure his head.
Lukas is currently ‘embarrassed, hurt, and struggling’, according to his father, Michael Hardeman.
During a conversation with KLTV, Michael and Lukas’ stepmom, Catom, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support they have received, stating they’ve had ‘so many calls, messages and donations’.
Michael further claimed that his son’s survival was due to divine intervention, stating that he believed ‘only alive today because of Jesus’, with divine protection over him.
The GoFundMe campaign has raised $36,891 to aid Lukas through his ‘long road to recovery’.
“We’re asking for help to cover these costs and to give Lukas the best chance at healing. Any support means the world to us, and we ask for your prayers for Lukas’s recovery. Thank you for standing with our family during this difficult time.”
Kilgore ISD commented on the incident in a statement released last month: “The event from last week has left us all shaken, it was both unexpected and deeply troubling, and our thoughts and prayers remain with our student who was injured.
“No student should feel uncertain, afraid, or anxious about attending school. This week we have begun a thorough review of our campus safety measures, our district communication practices, security protocols, and programs that the District and our campuses have in place to keep everyone safe.
“KISD is committed to taking every necessary step to keep our students and staff safe, to improve upon our current safety practices, and to restore the trust of our students, parents, and Bulldog Community.”
To support Lukas, donations can be made through the GoFundMe link provided.
KLTV noted that since August 20, emergency medical services have been called twice to the middle school Lukas attends, and once to Kilgore High School.
This string of medical emergencies has caused some parents to feel ‘nervous’ about their children’s safety at school, according to the outlet.
A concerned parent questioned the school board, asking: “What is the district’s policy for students who repeatedly commit violence, even in alt placement? How are students and staff protected when these behaviors continue?”
Prior to a community meeting on August 25 regarding safety concerns, Kilgore ISD School Board President Jason Smith addressed parents on Facebook.
The message reassured that ensuring the safety and maintaining trust with students, staff, and the community remained high priorities for the District.
“I know that when an incident happens in our schools, families want timely and clear information,” the statement, written by Kilgore ISD School Board President Jason Smith, continued.
“At the same time, there are limits to what the District can share.”
The post highlighted federal privacy laws, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which dictate what can be disclosed.
“This means that while the District cannot release certain details, it can — and will — communicate openly about what steps are being taken to keep our campuses supportive and safe to the extent that can be done without compromising campus security.”
The District committed to providing updates as promptly and clearly ‘as possible’ while detailing actions to protect students and staff.
Additionally, the District promised transparency regarding disclosure limitations, while ‘honoring the privacy of those involved’ in incidents.
“I am confident that I speak on behalf of the whole Board when I say that we appreciate your trust and understanding as the District balances transparency with the responsibility to protect individual privacy. Together, we will continue working to make Kilgore ISD a safe and thriving place for every student to learn and grow.”
Recently, a ‘thorough review of our campus safety measures’ was announced.