A local mother’s Facebook post has sparked an emotional community discussion in Du Quoin after she alleged that her 4th-grade son, who suffers from epilepsy, was hit in the face by an older middle school girl during a recent football game.
The incident reportedly occurred in the end zone section, near the back fence, a popular gathering area where children often play during local games.
The mother, Kristina Dills, shared the story publicly in the Facebook group DISCUSS DU QUOIN, hoping to raise awareness about supervising children at community events.
She wrote,
“I’m not one to like to bring attention or like to post subjects on parenting,”“But can parents please be more aware of what your children are doing at the football games. My child who is in 4th grade and suffers from epilepsy got hit in his face/head last night while playing tag with his father and brother in the end zone section by the back fence by a middle school girl wearing all white and blonde hair.”
Kristina Dills
Dills explained that her son, who has special needs, was playing tag with his family when he was struck and grabbed by an older girl.
She emphasized that her son did nothing to provoke the incident. She continued,
“Normally I would be the type to say kids will be kids,”“but my child is special needs and extremely different and did nothing to deserve to be hit and grabbed by a child much bigger and older than him — and let alone the opposite gender. So parents please be cautious of what your children are doing at these games! This incident could have ended a lot worse had he got hit harder and in a higher area than he was.”
Kristina Dills
Dills clarified that she was not trying to spoil the fun for all the kids who gather at the games, but rather to remind parents about the importance of accountability and respect. She added,
“I in no way posted this so that all the fun stops for the children who truly know how to behave and have manners,” “This is a post to parents who need to teach their children there are consequences for the things they do, the way they act, and the things they say.”
Kristina Dills
Her post quickly gained attention, with many in the comments section debating how such incidents should be handled. One commenter, Jackie Harris, shared his opinion:
Teach your kids life gets rough. When you play you might get hurt. If you don’t want him to get hurt maybe he should not play. It’s not everyone’s place to pander to your child’s needs. It’s your responsibility to teach your kid he doesn’t have special rules. And follows the same rules. As the rest playground logic.
Jackie Harris
Harris’s comment drew mixed reactions. Some defended her viewpoint as a call for resilience, while others criticized tha lack of empathy toward a child with a medical condition.
Another commenter, Dalton James, offered a more balanced take, acknowledging both tradition and the need for better behavior. James said,
I feel like for 30+ its been the spot where kids play at the games. Hope it never ends but I do hope these little monsters that are so mean in our schools these days catch some wisdom.
Dalton James
Afton Haggard, a graduate of Southern Illinois University Carbondale, suggested addressing the situation immediately. He wrote,
I would suggest addressing it immediately (when it happened) with school personnel OR law enforcement that is ALWAYS at the games and available to help instead of Discuss DuQuoin. My entire life kids have played in the endzone and I pray it never stops happening. If a seizure could happen if he was hit in the head, I would suggest not playing tag in the endzones. There are MANY areas available to sit, enjoy the game and not being in harms way of kids being wild.
Afton Haggard
The conversation reflects a growing tension in many small towns over how unsupervised children behave during community events.
For decades, local football games have been a social gathering point for families, with children often running and playing freely around the field.
While no official statement has been made regarding the alleged incident, Dills’s post continues to circulate among residents, prompting wider discussions about parental responsibility, inclusion, and how to ensure public spaces remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
As one community member privately messaged Dills in support, “It’s not about taking away fun, it’s about making sure all kids, especially those with special needs, can be part of that fun safely.”
