Middle school boy had to have skull partially removed after being attacked in cafeteria 'over a joke'
A Texas middle schooler had to have his skull partially removed after he was brutally attacked by another student over a joke, according to his parents.
Lukas Hardeman, 14, was severely injured on August 21 after another child 'picked him up and body slammed him' inside a cafeteria at a school in Kilgore, his parents wrote on a GoFundMe page.
After Hardeman cracked a joke, he was thrown into a metal pole attached to a stool and left with multiple brain bleeds, swelling, and more than 60 staples in his head.
He also had to be rushed into emergency surgery at Children's Medical Center in Dallas - about two hours from where the incident occurred - to have parts of his skull taken out to relieve the pressure and bleeding, his step-mother said.
Now, two weeks after his life was changed forever, Hardeman has been resting and trying to get better day-by-day.
'He's embarrassed. He is hurt. He is struggling, Michael Hardeman, the boy's father, told KLTV.
'But I hope when he sees things like this that he has a lot of family behind him. I hope that he can get to a point to where he is confident.'
The boy's dad and step-mother, Catom Morris-Hardeman, said they are extremely thankful for all of the support they've received following the horrific incident.
Lukas Hardeman, 14, had to have parts of his skull removed after he was attacked by another student on August 21 at a middle school in Kilgore, Texas
His father and step-mother (pictured with the teen) said he was thrown into a metal pole after he cracked a joke
'We have had a lot of people reach out to us, and it shows that there are good people,' Michael said.
'We have had so many calls, messages and donations. We have been very blessed.'
Hardeman has been described as 'a creative, loving teenager who enjoys drawing, gaming, and spending time with his siblings and family.'
His loved ones are asking for donations to help them cover hospital bills, travel costs and future doctors appointments.
As of Thursday afternoon, nearly $40,000 was raised to help them out.
In a heartwarming video showing his progress, Hardeman was seen eating a bit of apple sauce on his own in a hospital bed.
'My son is only alive today because of Jesus, and he had his hands around his heart,' his father added.
After about a week in the hospital, a group of supporters cheered him on as he arrived back home.
He experienced several brain bleeds, swelling, more than 60 staples in his head, and had to have portions of his skull taken out because of the viscous attack
Hardeman is seen recovering in the hospital before he was sent home and welcomed by a group of supporters
Meanwhile, a school board meeting was convened to address the shocking incident.
Although his parents were not able to give specific details about the incident, the school board released a statement on Facebook about it.
'As President of your school board, I want to reassure you that the safety, well-being, and trust of students, staff, and community remain the District's top priorities,' Jason Smith, Kilgore ISD School Board President, wrote to the community.
'I know that when an incident happens in our schools, families want timely and clear information,' Smith said, adding that certain laws prevent him from sharing details.
He has promised to still remain transparent with parents and staff on the issue, adding: 'Together, we will continue working to make Kilgore ISD a safe and thriving place for every student to learn and grow.'
Parents whose children also attend schools in Kilgore ISD took to a public meeting Monday night to share their concerns over safety.
Hardeman (far left) has been described as 'a creative, loving teenager who enjoys drawing, gaming, and spending time with his siblings and family'
Since August 20, ambulances have been rushed to the district's middle school twice, and once to the high school, KLTV reported.
'For the first time, I feel nervous to send my child to middle school,' a worried parent told school officials.
Another asked: 'What is the district's policy for students who repeatedly commit violence, even in alt placement? How are students and staff protected when these behaviors continue?'
In a recent Facebook post, the school district said they have started 'a thorough review of our campus safety measures, district communication practices, and programs in place across our campuses.'
When approached by Daily Mail, a spokesperson with Kilgore ISD said the district 'is limited in the details we can share.'
'The district has followed the Student Code of Conduct in regards to this incident, including appropriate student disciplinary consequences.
'As a community and a school district, our thoughts and prayers remain with the injured student and his family as he continues to recover,' they continued.
