### Waldorf Elementary School Incident Sparks Concern Among Parents

In Waldorf, Maryland, parents of a second grader at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School are demanding answers after an alleged hanging incident on November 15. The concerned parents reported that their son was discovered hanging in a school bathroom by a fourth grader, an event that has left the child with severe bruising on his neck and face.

The boy’s mother, who chose to remain anonymous, shared with 7News' Lianna Golden that initially she and the child’s father were informed their son was choking on food. However, upon speaking with the school’s principal, they learned that their son had been found unconscious and foaming at the mouth, hanging from a hook in the bathroom. This revelation led to even more confusion and concern, particularly regarding the height of the hook and whether the incident could be simply explained as "horseplay."

Principal Carrie Burke acknowledged the incident in a letter to parents, stating that two students had been reported "horseplaying" in the bathroom, leading to one child's jacket getting caught on a stall hook. The principal emphasized that staff responded quickly to assist the child and called 911 as a precaution.

Superintendent Maria V. Navarro further addressed the community's concerns in a statement, clarifying that while personal details cannot be disclosed, there was no cover-up by the school. She stressed that an ongoing investigation is being conducted in collaboration with the Charles County Sheriff's Office to ensure all facts are ascertained accurately. Navarro also condemned online threats toward staff, urging the community to allow the investigative process to unfold.

The mother of the injured child has been actively sharing her perspective on social media, with her post garnering substantial attention and calls for accountability. She remains steadfast in her belief that the incident was not a result of mere "horseplay" and is pushing for thorough answers, wanting to hear the account from the other involved child and his parents.

A protest was initially planned by a group of parents outside the Charles County Public Schools Administrative building, but it was canceled out of respect for the family. Nonetheless, a few individuals, including the boy's paternal grandmother, expressed their distress over what they perceive as a lapse in supervision that allowed the dangerous situation to occur.

As the investigation continues, the family has decided to withdraw their son from the school, focusing on his physical and mental recovery. Charles County Public Schools has reiterated that any students found to have violated the conduct code will face appropriate consequences.