A local family has filed a lawsuit against Scouting America, claiming their 5-year-old son suffered a severe thighbone fracture after being beaten during a Cub Scout meeting, according to the family and their attorney.
Breanna and Christopher Russell say their son — identified in this report only as D.R. — was punched, knocked to the ground and stomped on by an older Cub Scout during a Pack 422 meeting on Dec. 4 in Bowling Green.
The family alleges the pack leader was outside vaping when the incident occurred. They are seeking more than $25,000 in damages.
Breanna Russell said the children were participating in an indoor snowball fight when the attack happened.
“D.R. has reached for a snowball. He was leaning down — that’s when the boy had punched him in the head, punched him in his stomach, knocked him over and stomped on his leg,” she said. “I didn’t see it happen. I was on the other side of the room, but I heard his yell.”
Russell said she was informed the scoutmaster was outside at the time.
“The scoutmaster was outside, to my knowledge. I was told he was outside vaping — some other parents,” she said.
D.R. has undergone two surgeries since the incident. He remains in a wheelchair and has not returned to school.
“He hasn’t been back to school because we have to help him to the restroom. We have to help him get on the toilet. The school is not adequately — I don’t feel prepared for that,” Christopher Russell said.
The lawsuit names Erie Shores Council Incorporated, the Boy Scouts of America, the pack leader and the minor accused in the attack. It accuses them of negligent supervision and causing emotional distress.
Russell said the organization also failed to properly separate younger and older scouts.
“They’re also supposed to keep the younger kids together with younger kids, and the older kids with the older kids. They didn’t do that correctly,” she said.
Attorney Chuck Boyk said officials did not report the incident for several days.
“In this case, the Cub Scouts are mandatory reporters, which means you have to report a physical assault incident immediately. The Cub Scouts did not report it until four days later, and that’s only because a parent reported to the bowling place,” Boyk said.
Erie Shores Council released a statement that read in part: “Council leadership has been in direct and ongoing communication with the family to check on the scout’s condition and to offer assistance. We have worked closely with them to help guide the insurance process and ensure they had the information and support they needed.”
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