PORTAGE — Portage Police are reviewing surveillance footage and body camera video after a social media post from a family member of an injured juvenile alleged the child was intentionally harmed by other teenagers at Founders Square Park over the weekend.
The social media post, which began circulating Monday, claims the juvenile suffered severe injuries after being pushed from a swing by a group of boys and thrown approximately 10 feet onto concrete before the individuals fled the area.
According to the family member, the child’s injuries are extensive and require specialized medical treatment. The post states the juvenile is scheduled to undergo surgery at Memorial Children’s Hospital in South Bend involving both a neurosurgeon and spinal surgeon.
“The surgery will be for removing shattered vertebrae then replacing it with hardware, fusing her spine and repairing ruptures,” the family member wrote. “She’ll be in rehab for months. I hope the boys involved come forward.”
Those allegations have not been independently confirmed by law enforcement.
According to Portage Mayor Austin Bonta, police officers and firefighters responded to Founders Square Park around 8 p.m. Sunday for what was initially reported as an accidental injury involving a juvenile on the playground.
Officials said the incident was handled as a medical call because neither those involved nor witnesses at the scene reported any foul play at the time. The injured juvenile was transported to a hospital for treatment, and no police report was generated.
The situation has since drawn significant attention following the family’s social media post alleging the injuries were caused by intentional actions from other teenagers at the park.
Mayor Bonta described the allegations as serious and said the Portage Police Department immediately began reviewing all available evidence after becoming aware of the claims.
Portage Police investigators, along with the city’s Information Technology Director, are currently examining surveillance footage from cameras located throughout Founders Square Park as well as body-worn camera footage recorded by responding officers. Investigators are also reaching out to family members and others involved in reporting and responding to the original incident.
At this time, authorities have not confirmed whether the allegations made online are supported by evidence and emphasized that the investigation remains active.
The Portage Police Department is expected to provide an update once investigators have completed their review of the available evidence and gathered additional information.
In the meantime, city officials are asking the community to keep the injured juvenile and her family in their thoughts and prayers.
“At this time, we ask that everyone please keep the injured juvenile in your prayers for recovery,” Mayor Bonta said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Region News Source will provide updates as additional information becomes available and is confirmed by investigators.
Update: Portage Police Say Park Injury Was Accidental, Not Criminal
Portage Police Chief Michael Candiano released additional details Tuesday regarding an incident at Founders Square Park that left a 16-year-old girl seriously injured, stating that investigators have found no evidence of criminal activity.
According to Candiano, officers and firefighters responded to the park around 8:04 p.m. Sunday for a report of a teenage girl who had fallen from playground equipment. Witnesses on scene told officers the girl had been riding a circular rotating swing at a high rate of speed when she fell. Police said witnesses consistently described the incident as an accident and reported no deliberate actions by anyone involved.
After a social media post alleging the girl had been intentionally pushed or thrown from the equipment generated widespread attention and calls for an investigation, Portage Police reviewed body camera footage and park surveillance video.
The review showed the injured teen and a friend waiting their turn to ride a rotating swing-style attraction. Police said two unidentified teenage boys were spinning riders by rotating a center pole, allowing the swings to gain significant speed. Investigators observed another female rider and the injured teen’s friend both being spun in the same manner before safely dismounting.
When the injured teen took her turn, police said the boys again spun the ride without making physical contact with her. As she reached a nearly horizontal position, she was thrown from the swing and struck the ground. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the boys and other park patrons immediately going to assist her while her father and 911 were contacted.
“At this point, all available information indicates this was an accident with no malicious intent and no criminal activity,” Candiano said in a statement.
The chief acknowledged that information surrounding the incident may have become distorted following the traumatic event and said the department felt it was important to address misinformation that had spread online.
Police said the teen suffered significant injuries. Candiano concluded by expressing support for the victim and her family and urged the public to refrain from spreading false information while focusing instead on her recovery.
