A Washington, Missouri, mother is speaking out after what she explains as a “disturbing and heartbreaking” incident at a local park where a group of boys allegedly bullied her autistic son and several other children.
In a post shared to the Facebook group What’s Up WashMo!!, Kasey Rae Corcoran detailed an unsettling encounter that unfolded at the All Abilities Park, located off Lakeshore Drive, on a recent evening.
According to Corcoran, what started as a typical family outing quickly turned into a distressing situation when a group of unsupervised boys started harassing children at the playground.
Corcoran wrote,
“I was at All Abilities Park with my son and saw a large group who were getting photos taken for a dance by the water,” “Meanwhile, a group of young boys were allowed to run the playground like heathens. I witnessed them constantly bullying other children. They took another child’s ball and were mocking and calling my autistic son names.”
Kasey Rae Corcoran
Kasey said she confronted the boys, asking where their parents were. She said,
“I asked them where their mothers were and told them they were bullies, but none of them would tell me—even though I knew where their parents were—taking pictures,” “If you let your children run rampant at the playground this afternoon, shame on you for raising awful children. Atrocious parenting.”
Kasey Rae Corcoran
In an edit to her post, Corcoran clarified that the boys appeared to be of elementary school age and that there were around 100 people in the area at the time for photo sessions. She added,
“This was a small gang of them. Up to 10 boys riding a scooter on the equipment, following kids when they were told to stop, taking toys, and mocking my child,” . “I had to say something twice. I heard another child complaining to their parents about these same boys. My son doesn’t want to go back to this playground because of the vibe these boys put off—it was like shark-infested waters. Do better.”
Kasey Rae Corcoran
Her post quickly got support from other local parents and community members who were outraged by the behavior and the apparent lack of parental supervision. Jessica Muller commented,
“I have witnessed parents calling the police about the same situation. The kids’ parents weren’t at the park at all. The kids were allowed to run around town on their own. Sad situation. Sorry this happened to you.”
Jessica Mueller
Another local mother, Jennifer Fischer, expressed sympathy: “I’m sorry that happened to your son.”
Some commenters were less restrained in their actions. Cheryl Adams Stoeckel wrote,
“I’m telling you right now, I would have walked right up to all those parents and called them out in front of everyone. Shame on you folks, and yes, you know who you are. Shameful. Brats. Sorry people are morons.”
Cheryl Adams Stoeckel
Others called for action to prevent similar incidents in the future. Hannah Doyle suggested,
“There should be a rule where children aren’t allowed on the equipment without a parent present,”
Hannah Doyle
Some responses hinted at a more profound frustration with a perceived decline in accountability and respect among local youth.
Community members like Laurie Immekus also sympathized with Corcoran’s restraint. She said,
I’m so sorry this happened and would have loved to have been there to tell those parents a thing or twelve. Might have been introduced to Washington’s finest!
Laurie Immekus
Lisa Marie Minard agreed that the incident warranted intervention: “That’s horrible, sorry, I would have called teh police.”
Others, such as Carrie Weekley, offered compassion: “I am so sorry this happened to your son and other children.”
