BATAVIA, Ohio (WKRC) — A violent threat and a disturbing drawing of a child covered in blood have a local mother concerned for her daughter’s safety.
Sarah Philhower believes officials at Batavia Elementary are not completely addressing her concerns. However, school leaders say they’ve been responsive.
Philhower said that administrators told her they would make a note in her daughter’s file to separate the two students next year, but she wants the student who made the threat against her daughter removed from the class immediately. Batavia Local School District Superintendent Keith Millard told Local 12 that, as far as they knew, everyone was on the same page, and they were surprised when the mother’s concerns were brought to their attention by Local 12.
Philhower said that her 7-year-old daughter Elizabeth Philhower is a friend to everyone.
“Elizabeth is the kindest kid you’ll ever meet,” said Sarah Philhower.
She received an alarming call from the school on Friday.
“It was the vice principal telling me that she had my daughter in her office, very distraught, emotional, hysterically crying, telling me that another child in her class threatened to kill her,” Sarah Philhower said.
The threat allegedly included a disturbing drawing described in the police report as a “child covered in blood.”
“[The classmate] drew a picture of a child covered in blood being stabbed and told my daughter that’s how he was going to kill her,” said Sarah Philhower.
Sarah Philhower said that her daughter, who is now out sick, is afraid to return to school.
“As a parent, it’s breaking my heart,” said Sarah Philhower.
According to the police report, the assistant principal told the school resource officer that the student is new to the school and has been instructed to stay away from Elizabeth Philhower. Sarah Philhower told the SRO that she wants the other student placed in a different classroom.
“The vice principal told me he was there for three days before this happened,” said Sarah Philhower. “Why can’t they move him to a different classroom? My question was just completely ignored every single time, and I’ve asked it multiple times.”
Superintendent Millard said that when school officials contacted Sarah Philhower on Wednesday, there was no indication that she was still upset.
“The school was absolutely not indifferent to it,” said Millard. “I think [elementary leaders] felt that there was a solution moving forward, and then the next thing they know, there’s dissatisfaction, which they didn’t have the opportunity to address.”
Millard added that the district takes the threat seriously but must consider all factors, including the age and maturity of the students involved. Sarah Philhower, however, feels the situation crosses a line.
“Kids will be kids. They say things; they get angry, but not once in my whole lifetime have I seen a child draw a picture of a child being killed and tell that child, ‘This is how I’m going to kill you.’ That’s extreme,” said Sarah Philhower. “As a parent myself, I hurt for this child. I pray for this child too because this child could be hurting and nobody knows about it.”
Local 12 asked Millard if the school is willing to move the child to a different class. He said he could not speak for elementary school leaders but confirmed they are open to continuing the conversation with Sarah Philhower to find a resolution.
Sarah Philhower said that she plans to return to the school on Thursday.
Millard added that, in general, conflicts like this are handled at the “lowest level,” with a plan put in place and monitored. If the plan doesn’t work, further steps are taken.
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