Boy with autism, 14, attacked while walking to bus stop after school
A 14-year-old boy has described the terrifying moment he was dragged to the ground and repeatedly kicked while walking to a bus stop after school in Geelong.
Year 8 student Lance McKinnis, who lives with autism, was walking along Ormond Road last Thursday when he was allegedly targeted in an unprovoked attack.
Lance McKinnis was walking along Ormond Road when he was allegedly targeted. 9News
“It’s a very scary experience to happen to you,” Lance said.
His mother, Melanie McKinnis, described her son’s panicked phone call during the ordeal.
“He was frantic … not the kind of phone call you wanna get,” she told 9News.
“He was screaming, ’Mum, Mum, Mum, help me!”
Lance was left with cuts and bruises and his glasses were broken.
But his family says the emotional toll has been much harder to overcome.
A 13-year-old boy was given an official warning over the assault, while a 14-year-old boy was issued with a caution.
Both remain in the community.
Lance and his family are calling for better safety measures around bus stops, particularly during busy school drop-off and pick-up periods.
Melanie McKinnis described her son’s panicked phone call during the ordeal. 9News
The teenager said having someone nearby to keep watch could help prevent another child going through the same ordeal.
“Someone watching just in case anything happens, they’ll be able to come over and stop it,” he said.
Despite what happened, Lance managed a milestone today, mustering the courage to return to the cricket pitch as he tries to put the attack behind him.
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