A 16-year-old boy has been charged with felonious assault in juvenile court following a fight inside a restroom at Massillon Washington High School that left another student injured.
The teen appeared before Stark County Family Court on Tuesday, where he denied the charge by entering a plea of “not true,” the juvenile equivalent of not guilty. Magistrate Vernon M. Infantino released him to his mother’s custody.
Massillon police responded to the school around 11 a.m. Monday after receiving reports of an altercation. Authorities said one student suffered a wrist injury during the incident, which involved a knife. After investigating, officers arrested the other student on a felonious assault charge and took him to a juvenile detention center.
Court documents allege the teen used a knife to cut the victim’s hand.
The suspect, who has been suspended from school, is under court supervision as part of the pretrial release program and has been ordered to have no contact with the victim. His next court appearance is set for April 14.
Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino reaffirmed the district’s commitment to student safety.
“The Massillon Police Department remains dedicated to protecting all residents, including students and staff,” police said in a statement. “We continue to work closely with school officials to ensure a secure learning environment.”
