Parents demand accountability for fight at Cesar Chavez High School that left child with concussion

HOUSTON – The parents of Cesar Chavez High School student are demanding accountability from both the school and the Houston Independent School District after their son suffered a concussion and cyberbullying following a fight with three students in a school bathroom.

The incident occurred during the first week of school and involved a fight allegedly over money. The recording of the violent episode was widely circulated among students, adding to the grief of the victim and her family.

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Janet Gallo, the student’s mother, shared her disappointment with FOX 26: “Heartbroken because no parent would ever want their child to be treated this way, especially if they didn’t deserve it. Knowing what kind of child you have, he didn’t deserve this.”

The parents told FOX 26 their son was taken into the restroom for an alleged conversation, but he was ambushed.

“They lured him into the toilet, saying they just wanted to talk to him. It was during school hours. He walked in there thinking they were just going to talk to him. They blocked the exit so he couldn’t get out. He had no choice but to defend himself,” Gallo said.

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Carlos Aguirre, the father of the student who was attacked, expressed frustration at the lack of response from the school administration: “They weren’t very helpful. When we went to talk to the director, she seemed uninterested. if she didn’t care what happened.”

In connection with the incident, the parents filed a report with the HISD police and the Houston Police Department.

FOX 26 reached out to HISD to get a response to the video that has gone viral online and to find out if the district is investigating. The district sent the following statement:

“Administrators are aware of an altercation that occurred at Cesar Chavez High School involving several students. We do not condone this behavior and the incident is being handled in accordance with the District Code of Conduct. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our students. all our students and staff.”

The family’s son, who is now recovering from a concussion, has been transferred to another school and, on doctor’s advice, can only attend half a day.

The change comes when Gallo expresses concerns about safety at the school: “I feel like there’s not enough safety. The main thing for me is that I don’t want a child to be killed at school. My son was almost killed. If he wanted to, if he didn’t come out of the toilet on his own, what would have happened?”