Ted Meszaros credits his teenage daughter with teaching both him and her mother a lesson.
“Our daughter is so strong - I’ve really got to give it to her. She’s teaching us a lesson on how to be strong. All of this has really taken its (toll).”
Meszaros’s daughter was at the centre of a reported attack in April by four teens near Valley View Elementary School in Courtenay.
According to Comox Valley RCMP, on April 23 around 8:30 a.m., a student was walking on a trail between Valley View Drive and Valley View Elementary School, when she was assaulted.
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At the time, the Record spoke with the victim’s mother, who noted she believes the incident was a violent, targeted attack, as her daughter had issues with threats throughout the entire school year.
Meszaros says physically, his daughter has now healed from the incident, but mentally, she continues to fear that a similar incident may happen again. Additionally, he adds the incident has taken a toll on him and his wife.
“I’ve really got to give it to (my daughter); she amazing. We have been so full of love from our community and the support has been huge.”
However, Meszaros notes he is disappointed in the school system, and the overall treatment of the incident.
“When you go to school, you’re supposed to feel secure. You don’t. My daughter is a bright, beautiful, A-student, and she hated going to school - it just got worse and worse.”
He explains since the incident, he nor anyone in his family has heard from the school board. Additionally, he says he feels his family has gotten little support from the school or administration.
“(I feel) like it was brushed under the rug … and they’ve moved forward. (I’m worried) who is going to be the next victim? It’s a sad way to think, but it still happens. My heart tears in half.”
Mary Lee, communications and community engagement manager for School District 71 said as the incident is still under RCMP investigation, the district cannot discuss details of the incident, nor do they have new information to act on.
She added the district has shared with the school communities easier access to resources on how to report or know what to do when a student is bullied or witnesses bullying behaviour.
“We all want to reach a resolution in the incident and get answers, but there have been no new developments,” said Lee. “We understand how upsetting this can be for the family.”
In terms of the investigation, Const. Monica Terragni, media relations officer with the Comox Valley RCMP, said investigators working on it have been following up on all tips and information provided by the public.
Additionally, investigators have spent some time going over surveillance footage from the area at the time of the alleged assault.
Terragni confirms there have been no arrests made in connection to the allegation, and if anyone with information wishes to come forward, to call the Comox Valley RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
She adds the victim and her family have been referred to Victim Services at the Comox Valley RCMP detachment.
erin.haluschak@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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