### Parents Demand Answers After Son Injured in School Hanging Incident

In Charles County, Maryland, the parents of a second-grader are expressing grave concerns over the circumstances surrounding their son's injury at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School. The incident, which occurred in a school bathroom, has left the family with more questions than answers.

The boy's mother, in an interview with WUSA9, described her shock upon seeing her son with marks under his eyes. According to her, the boy recounted that another student told him, "I'm going to show you how I did people back in the day." His father also noted that their son still bears bruises on his neck from being choked.

The school's principal, Carrie Burke, addressed the situation in a statement. Burke clarified that the initial 911 call described the incident as a possible suicide attempt, a characterization she disputes. She explained that misinformation spread after a community member posted about the event on social media, which spurred local worry. "I apologize for the delay in that update, but our administrative team was addressing the needs of our students," Burke stated, adding that the school had informed both parents and staff to correct any inaccuracies.

Burke's version of events describes the occurrence as an unfortunate outcome of "horseplaying" between two students in a bathroom. She explained that one student’s jacket had become caught on a stall door hook, and the other student, unable to free him, sought help from the school staff who then called 911 for additional medical assistance.

However, the injured boy's parents remain skeptical. "Doesn't make sense to me," his mother said. "If you're horseplaying, how do you get caught on the hook? Like, we need answers. I want answers, and we won't stop until we get them." Convinced that bullying may be a factor, she expressed concern that other children might also have been affected by similar incidents. As a result, the family has decided that their son will not return to the school.

The parents are urging the school district to conduct a more thorough investigation and to take stronger measures to ensure student safety. For now, the search for clarity continues as the family seeks detailed answers about what led to their son's traumatic experience.