A disturbing incident at Eastside Elementary School in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, has left the whole community in shock.
On October 14, 2025, a fifth-grade boy was sexually assaulted right on the playground during recess.
It happened in broad daylight, just 14 feet from a teacher who was supposed to be watching.
This Sallisaw Elementary assault has parents and locals furious about school safety, weak punishments, and possible favoritism from influential people in town.
The young victim was playing outside when three other boys attacked him. Two boys held him down while the third tried to stick his finger in the boy’s rear end.
The boy’s mom, who asked to be called Beth to protect her son, told local media she cried for 24 hours straight after hearing what happened.
She said the school first called it “hazing,” but she knows it was much worse. Beth Explained:
“He was held down on the playground by two other kids and one other kid… they sexually assaulted him is what I was told,”
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Her son is struggling a lot now. He barely talks to anyone, though he seems okay physically.
The school’s response made everyone even angrier. The three boys initially received a five-day suspension.
They could come back to class right after. Beth said that’s not nearly enough. She pointed out that another kid got two weeks off for just vaping.
“I don’t think five days is enough for something like this,” she said. She worries it teaches kids the wrong lesson about right and wrong.
Sallisaw Public Schools Superintendent Steve Barrett made a statement about the Sallisaw Elementary assault.
He said they can’t share details yet because it’s an active investigation with minors.
“At this time, we cannot release any information as this is an active investigation involving minors. We can only confirm that during a recess game an incident occurred which required further investigation to determine the severity and cause. We have followed all appropriate protocols in our response, to include involving third party entities to assist. We hope to complete our investigation as soon as possible. Any decisions on long term suspensions will occur after our investigation is complete.”
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He added that they are working with the Department of Human Services, Child Advocacy, local police, and tribal authorities.
Social Media Erupted with Criticism Regarding the Potential Cover-Up
In the ‘Bikers Against Child Abuse‘ Facebook group, Smitty Smith posted for help. He is a biker, but not a member of any club. He said the attackers are the sons of a local judge and a coach.
Authorities are trying to conceal it due to their family ties. Smith wrote:
“3 boys held down a boy and stuck their fingers in his rearend. They only got a 5 days suspension and will be allowed back into the school,”
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He called Sallisaw a crooked town where higher-ups and judges let people get away with crimes.
He begged the group for advice or support in fighting for justice for the child and his family.
Leah Knebel Ga posted another viral message about the Sallisaw Elementary assault.
She spoke directly to the victim’s family. She called out Principal Jones for not taking her call.
She asked-:
“What is the punishment for the 3 kids that held a boy down and forcibly raped him yesterday… 5 days suspension? Really?”
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She wants the boys expelled from school forever. Leah suspects the lenient punishment is because one of the attackers is related to a district judge.
She said prominent families get special perks in Sallisaw. She blasted Officer KD Graham for telling parents to stay quiet.
Leah called it a violation of free speech to protect the families of bad kids. She asked why the school hadn’t told other parents, why there was no safety plan yet, and when they had reported it to DHS.
She wonders what kind of homes those boys come from to plan such a “pack mentality” attack.
Leah wants charges of child neglect or even first-degree rape against the boys’ parents, the principal, superintendent, and teacher.
She promised to help with a lawsuit. She further said-:
“No child should ever be put in any school having to worry about shit like this,”
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She told Principal Jones to pack up and leave with his family members who work there. She warned the Board of Education to fix its leadership problems.
One Facebook user shared a poignant story that resonated deeply. She wrote-:
“I was on here last year asking for help for my oldest. I reached out to several people and no one helped,”
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She said her daughter is doing better now after a tough start, but some kids really need help badly. She was sent by the police station with good words, but still got no real support.
Eastside Elementary serves students in grades 3 through 5. Families in Sallisaw expect kids to be safe there. This Sallisaw Elementary assault broke that trust.
Beth said two of the boys’ parents apologized. They said their kids weren’t raised that way. One parent wants their son to say sorry in person. But Beth’s son isn’t ready yet.
The investigation is ongoing so that more details may emerge soon. Local Police Chief Terry Franklin advised asking the school police. District Attorney Jack Thorp did not comment.
As agencies work together, parents like Beth hope for real change. In a small town where connections run deep, this assault shows big problems with fairness and child safety.
The community is watching closely. They want justice for the young victim and his family.
