News & Opinion
Broward County deputies in Florida arrested two teenagers seen on video brutally attacking 14-year old Chad Sanford last week at a neighborhood park, officials said Wednesday. It’s unclear if the third teenager seen on the video will face charges.
This is the second attack made on Chad due to kids bullying for being a part of the LGBTQ community. In 2021, Chad made national headlines for being attacked and slammed to the ground on video by a group of older kids at Deerfield Beach Middle School as others just watched.
In the most recent attack, Chad received an invite to hang out at a park with a group of young people thought to be friends, according to Local 10 News Florida.
“They came behind me and jumped me,” said Chad, who added that the assailants said, “Don’t come around me with that gay (expletive).”
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the “two juveniles were arrested for simple battery and public orders crime prejudice,” both misdemeanors.
Her grandmother, who chose not to reveal her name to protect her identity, said that the attack should be investigated as a hate crime.
“I don’t get ‘misdemeanor,’” she said. “It should be a felony. It should be a hate crime.”
If the two teenagers were charged with a federal hate crime, they could receive up to five years in prison.
Gaye Magazine will continue to follow the case as more information develops.
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