In a story that has reverberated beyond the confines of Missouri, the family of a 15-year-old girl charged with brutally assaulting Kaylee Gain, 16, is claiming that she is the real victim of the incident. The altercation that led to Gain’s potentially fatal injuries has not only ignited a legal battle but also a contentious fundraising effort, which was promptly shut down by GoFundMe.
The teen accused of the attack, who remains unnamed due to her minor status, was reportedly an honor student at Hazelwood East High School. Her family contends she was acting in self-defense during the altercation that occurred on March 8 in Spanish Lakes, Missouri. This assertion, juxtaposed against the viral footage showing Gain being repeatedly struck and having her head smashed against the floor, has sparked intense discussion and debate.
In a desperate effort to mount a legal defense, the accused’s family sought donations via GoFundMe, aiming to raise $150,000. The fundraiser was quickly removed by the platform, citing a violation of its terms. A GoFundMe spokesperson confirmed, “the fundraiser was removed and all donors have been refunded. GoFundMe’s Terms of Service explicitly prohibit fundraising for the legal defense of an alleged violent crime.”
Despite the setback on GoFundMe, the family launched a Change.org petition calling for compassion from the St Louis Juvenile Court. This online plea highlighted the accused’s academic and extracurricular achievements and denounced the notion of her being charged as an adult — an action Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey suggested could be warranted if Gain does not survive.
The petition further stresses the accused’s purported victimhood, stating, “Prior to an incident on March 8th where she was seen defending herself from harassment and bullying, she had never been in trouble.” The petition also mentions that the family has been the target of “multiple racist death threats” and doxxing attempts since the incident.
On the other side of this tragic event, Kaylee Gain’s condition remains dire. She has suffered a fractured skull resulting in brain injury and is yet to regain consciousness. As her family and supporters await her awakening, they have managed to raise over $300,000 to cover her medical expenses, showcasing a community’s rallying support in the face of catastrophe. The family, through their lawyer, has stated, “The full scope and extent of Kaylee’s injuries and prognosis for recovery cannot be determined until, with God’s grace, she regains consciousness.”
While the family of the accused pleads for a recognition of the complexities surrounding the incident and for the court’s leniency, they also call for the healing and reconciliation of both parties, stating “this truly was a teenage fight that should’ve never happened to begin with, but did and spun completely out of control.”
With the accused’s hearing scheduled for early April, the legal system will soon weigh in on the appropriate course of justice.
Relevant articles:
– Missouri girl charged with brutal assault on Kaylee Gain claims she’s the real victim, launches fundraiser
– Family of girl charged in brutal Kaylee Gain beating claims she’s the real victim, starts fundraiser, New York Post, Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:41:15 GMT
– Missouri teen charged with bashing Kaylee Gain’s head into pavement is the ‘real victim’, an honor roll student who was ‘defending herself’ in the brawl, family says, Daily Mail, Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:03:05 GMT
– Teen who left Kaylee Gain with brain damage was ‘defending herself’ and is ‘real victim’, family say, The Mirror, Thu, 21 Mar 2024 23:33:00 GMT