PLATTE CITY, Mo. — A 17-year old student at Winnetonka High School has been absent from school for almost a month after he suffered serious injuries during a football game. The youngster in question plays for Winnetonka the injury happened while his team played Platte County High School on October 18th.
The Platte City Police Department said the injured youth’s father claims that during that game his son was tackled by a Platte County high school player, who then tore off his son’s helmet and smacked him in the head with it. A police report has been filed.
“On October 22nd the victim and his family came into the Platte City Police Department and reported an assault,” said Lieutenant Albert Devalkenaere, with the Platte City Police Department.
They claim the victim sustained serious injuries from the incident.
“They alleged that during a football game between Winnetonka High School and Platte County High School that the victim was hit with his own helmet by a Platte County R-III student player,” added Devalkenaere.
The victim’s family claims the assault goes way beyond being able to explain it as: “It’s just football.”
“He sustained a concussion that has kept him from returning to school,’ said Devalkenaere, “They felt that it was outside the scope of the game and that it was an intentional assault.
It is an ongoing investigation. The case has been referred to the Platte County Prosecutor’s Officer, which is reviewing it. The boy who is accused of the assault is also 17, but could be facing some serious consequences. We are not releasing the names because at this point no charges have been filed.
“In Missouri, the age between being charged as a juvenile and being charged as an adult is 17, so the charges that are being considered will be adult charges,” Devalkenaere said.
Lieutenant Devalkenaere also told FOX 4 that this is considered a criminal offense. Depending on what the prosecutor charges, it could be anything from a misdemeanor to a Class A felony.
