OSAKIS, Minn. -- An alleged bullying incident at Osakis High School in mid-January remains under investigation by the school district and the county attorney’s office.
The incident happened in an industrial technology class at the central Minnesota school near Alexandria. A photo, allegedly taken by a student and posted on Snapchat, shows another student sitting on the floor, hands bound behind his back with a hoodie tied tightly over his head.
The mother of the 15-year-old boy posted the photo on her Facebook page and said that three bullies – two 18-year-olds and a 17-year-old – tied up her son with electrical cords while a teacher was present. She also said her son was whipped on his back with electrical cords in the class.
Osakis Police Chief Chad Gulbranson responded to the incident, talked to those involved and his preliminary investigation determined that nothing criminal had taken place. He said the victim chose to be involved in the act, although the mother vehemently denies that statement.
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Gulbranson turned over the results of his preliminary investigation to the Douglas County Attorney’s Office. County Attorney Chad Larson said that his office is awaiting more reports and written statements, and will make an informed decision after having the opportunity to review the case.
“We take bullying very seriously, but all we have is preliminary information right now,” he said.
Larson added that his office's involvement would be limited to any juvenile suspects. The Osakis city attorney would make any decisions regarding any suspects who are 18 years or older.
The 15-year-old’s mother, Nicolette Rochefort, said the claim that her son was a willing participant is “ludicrous.”
“It was forced,” she said. “This class was a daily battle of bullying for him.”
Besides tying up her son, the other students whipped his back with electrical cords, she said.
Her son called home immediately after being tied up and his father picked him up and they went to the police department, said Rochefort. In hindsight, she said her family or the police should have taken photos because her son’s wrists were still red from being tied.
She said her family tried several times to get the 15-year-old removed from the class but the school district refused.
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Superintendent Joe Broderick said that the district is still investigating the incident and interviewing those involved.
Data privacy laws, he said, prevent him from providing any details of the alleged incident.
“I can say that we as a district always investigate allegations of student or staff misconduct, and we take corrective action when misconduct is substantiated,” he said.
Rochefort hopes the incident will be fully investigated and that it will create awareness that bullying is happening in schools.
“I think the state has a lot of laws in place against bullying but I’m not sure the schools are following them,” she said. “Children should feel safe when they are in school.”
