SWHS student sliced in face
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on February 4, 2010 1:46 PM
DUDLEY -- A 16-year-old girl was slashed across the face with a sharp weapon on Wednesday morning at Southern Wayne High School, a wound that required 28 stitches to treat, authorities said.
Kierra Mitchelle Minor, 16, of Larchmont Circle, faces a count of assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting serious injury for allegedly cutting fellow student Ancila Smith, Sheriff's Office Capt. Tom Effler said.
Miss Minor, a 9th grade student, was released from the Wayne County Detention Center after posting $500 bond on Wednesday, records show. The victim of the alleged assault is in the 10th grade, officials said.
The incident took place not long after buses arrived at the high school, around 9:50 a.m., Capt. Tom Effler said. School had started two hours late due to icy weather.
Miss Minor and Ancila Smith, also 16, got in some sort of verbal altercation that escalated into a physical fight, according to Effler and Ken Derksen, a spokesman for the school system.
"According to the report, the altercation took place on the bus," Effler said.
During the fight, Miss Smith's face was cut and began bleeding profusely. A witness said Miss Smith sat on the steps of a school bus after the incident, still bleeding heavily as she waited for medical personnel to arrive.
Although a weapon could not be located, Effler said witness accounts and the severity of the wound point to the use of a weapon by Miss Minor.
"A witness observed a razor blade in a seat, but it disappeared before it was retrieved," Effler said.
After the fight, Derksen said Miss Smith was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital "as a precaution."
Early on Wednesday afternoon, Derksen disputed whether a weapon had actually been involved.
"From what I understand, there has not been a weapon located of any sort, so we're not sure if it did involve a weapon, or a fingernail, or a ring on a finger," Derksen said. "So we're not exactly sure what actually did cause that cut on her (Miss Smith's) face."
However, Sheriff's Office authorities who saw Miss Smith's wounds said the severity of the laceration indicated a weapon of some sort was involved.
"I've seen pictures of it," Effler said. "She was cut."
Derksen said violent incidents at the school would be handled as serious matters.
"The bottom line is safety is the school district's top priority, and we do not tolerate things like this," Derksen said. "The student involved will face disciplinary action, as well as any charges that may come from law enforcement."