Moses Lake student's hair set on fire

Incident took place on bus

MOSES LAKE - School officials and law enforcement are investigating an incident where one student lit another student's hair on fire while riding a school bus last week.

Scott Hagy said his 15-year-old son was riding the bus to Moses Lake High School and a student allegedly lit his son's hair on fire.

He said approximately one handful of the teen's long hair was singed off. His son did not know his hair was burning until several other students told him and started patting it out, Hagy said.

He said he is upset about the situation because his son is often bullied in school for having a form of autism called Asperger syndrome. The syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by trouble with social interactions and often accompanied by repetitive behavior patterns.

Hagy said he did not feel the situation is being handled properly by school officials and worries his son may be bullied more as a result of reporting the incident.

When the students exited the bus, Hagy's son hit the student who allegedly lit his hair on fire.

He said both students spoke with Assistant Principal Abe Ramirez about the incident.

Janis Hagy said she feels let down by school officials. She claims phone calls are not usually returned by Ramirez or the school resource officer regarding the assault or several other incidents where her son was allegedly bullied.

Janis Hagy said she wants her son to be able to go to school and learn in a safe environment.

She said they have no way of knowing if the alleged offending student was punished because school officials say the information is confidential. School officials told her they are reviewing the situation.

Moses Lake School District Superintendent Dr. Steve Chestnut said the incident is being taken seriously and may have been recorded on surveillance footage filmed on the school bus.

Chestnut said they must determine if the student lit the hair on fire and take into consideration what the police determine. Chestnut said it's possible the hair was not lit on fire.

He said usually if an incident happens on a school bus, the district does not handle the situation. Chestnut said typically bus garage officials investigate the matter and implement punishment, but due to the severity of the allegation, the school district became involved.

Scott Hagy said his son is worried about going to school, but continues attending while worrying if students will bully him.

"Stuff like this shouldn't happen," Scott Hagy said.

Moses Lake Police Capt. Dave Ruffin said if a student lit the teen's hair on fire, criminal charges could be pursued. The suspect could face charges from reckless endangerment to felony assault. He said it depends on the burns and if there was an intent to cause harm.

The victim, if he hit the alleged offender, could also face criminal charges depending on similar factors.