Recently the stepfather of Ethan Gray, a 9-year-old child with cerebral palsy who was assulted by two teens, was charged with assault by one of the teens. The full report by the not-for-profit organization BullyingCanada is below:

"BATHURST, NEW BRUNSWICK —

Joanne Gray is the mother of 9-year old Ethan who walks with a limp and has cerebral palsy. A few months ago Ethan was swimming at the Bathurst Aquatic Centre, and was proceeding to change. "While changing, two much older, stronger boys starting to harass Ethan for the way he was walking. Being scared, Ethan went in to the washroom stall to change. While in the stall the two boys pulled on his pants from the base of the stall. This caused him to fall and hit his head", said Gray. "Ethan started crying hysterically so his two cousins ran out for help. Ethan’s aunt was in the waiting room when she heard the cries for help. Worried for her nephew’s safety she tried to enter the changing area. She was confronted by the lifeguard on duty who told her she could not enter as she was female. She asked the lifeguard on duty to assist her nephew, but he refused."

According to Gray, Ethan’s cousins were in the changing area and witnessed the entire incident. Ethan’s sister then called home for help. Still according to Gray, Ethan’s stepfather ran over to the Aquatic Center (they live next door), only to find Ethan crying. "The two older youth who bullied Ethan were still in the changing area. Filled with anger, Ethan’s stepfather grabbed one boy and said ‘if you touch my stepson again there will be consequences.’"

BullyingCanada was contacted on the evening of January 21 by Joanne Gray requesting the assistance of BullyingCanada to find out why charges could not be laid and why the Bathurst Aquatic Centre did not take any action in order to address this matter.

The family says they were recently contacted by the Bathurst City Police, and were told that Ethan’s stepfather has been charged with assault by the older youth. According to Ethan’s mother, even though there were witnesses to the bullying that Ethan endured at the Bathurst Aquatic Center, the Bathurst City Police will not investigate possible charges against the two youth that allegedly assaulted Ethan.

Gray contacted a lawyer in Bathurst and was told that he could not investigate this matter as it would be a conflict of interest with the Bathurst Aquatic Center. Meanwhile, other lawyers are being contacted.

BullyingCanada contacted the Bathurst Aquatic Centre on the morning of January 22, was asked to leave a message with the person in Administration and was assured that a call would be returned. As of 5:30 pm (Atlantic Time), no call from the Bathurst Aquatic Centre was received.

"I can’t begin to express my feeling when I got this phone call. It was not like any of the other calls that I received that day, said Rob Frenette, Co-Executive Director / Co-Founder of BullyingCanada. It reminded me of what it was like for me growing up not only in Bathurst but also with cerebral palsy".

"I just want to know why no charges can be laid against these two youth as well as why the Bathurst Aquatic Centre was not willing to act", concluded Joanne Gray"

I believe the charges on the stepfather of Ethan Gray are extemely unjust. If you feel that protecting your youth (by grabbing an arm) should not be punishable by the law, please sign this petition and pass it around to help us bring justice to the Gray family.

Thank you for your support.