On April 18, 2025, a 12-year-old boy was violently attacked at Mays Park in Madison, Indiana, by a group of children, igniting widespread concern over youth violence and the lack of official accountability.

The incident, initially reported by the boy’s mother, Dezi Mays, on social media, has not been followed by any official police statements or detailed news coverage, leaving the community in the dark about the response and potential consequences.

Dezi Mays detailed on Facebook, as shared by “The Facts Dude” on X , that her son was walking his dog when a group of children began throwing objects at the dog and provoking him.

The situation escalated when a girl kicked the boy, and several boys joined in, resulting in a severe head injury that required stitches.

The X post included video and images of the incident, showing the physical altercation and the extent of victim’s injury, but no clear evidence of a weapon was visible.

Public Outcry and Community Response

The attack prompted significant outrage on social media, with users like @DonutOperator calling for one of the attackers, a child in a black shirt, to be charged with assault with a deadly weapon.

Despite the severity, the community organized a support event on April 28, 2025, where the victim reconciled with one of the attackers, who received a gift.

This act of reconciliation has been heavily criticized as it appears to undermine accountability and may set a dangerous precedent for youth behavior.

Lack of Official Information

Despite extensive efforts on May 11, 2025, to find additional information, no official police statements or detailed news articles about the incident were discovered. The Madison Police Department’s blog Madison PD Blog and incident reports do not mention the event, likely due to privacy laws protecting minors involved in juvenile proceedings. Local news outlets like the Madison Courier Madison Courier News and community websites (Visit Madison Events, City of Madison Documents) also failed to provide any coverage, leaving the public reliant on social media for information.

Legal and Social Implications

The absence of official information and the controversial reconciliation effort raise serious concerns about accountability in cases of youth violence. In Indiana, juvenile justice proceedings are confidential, which may explain the lack of public updates.

However, the perceived impunity for the attackers, combined with the gift given during the reconciliation event, suggests a failure to address the gravity of the situation.

This incident highlights broader issues of youth aggression and the need for effective intervention strategies to ensure justice and prevent future occurrences.

Is the kid in black shirt being charged with assault with a deadly weapon?

— Donut Operator 🍩 (@DonutOperator) May 11, 2025