Bullying is a pervasive issue with grave consequences, especially when it escalates to physical harm. Neo Hobbs, a 16-year-old, became a victim of relentless bullying, which eventually led to a catastrophic incident on January 17th.
Neo had endured months of torment, causing him to fear attending school. The situation reached a critical point when his tormentor or tormentors physically assaulted him, striking him on the head. This violent act resulted in a severe head injury, leaving Neo in a coma and facing traumatic brain injuries.
Elko High School, Neo’s educational institution, remained tight-lipped about the situation, leaving Neo’s family in the dark. Neo’s mother, Sandra, desperately wished to engage with the school’s teachers to address her son’s ordeal. However, Neo was understandably concerned that seeking help would only exacerbate the bullying, a fear often realized in such cases.
Sandra received a chilling phone call informing her that Neo had been hospitalized with severe injuries. CAT scans revealed internal bleeding in his brain, necessitating immediate life-saving surgery in Salt Lake City.
The school district superintendent maintained that Neo’s injuries resulted from a simple fistfight with another student, where he fell and sustained his injuries during the altercation. Medical experts, having examined Neo, disputed this explanation. They asserted that the extent of Neo’s injuries, which included a fractured skull and significant brain trauma, was inconsistent with a typical teen scuffle and fall.
After spending 12 days in the ICU, Neo was transferred to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. His family strongly believes that the bully Neo dreaded played a crucial role in this tragic incident, though the identity of the student responsible remains undisclosed.
It is uncertain whether Neo will make a full recovery. He spent days in a coma and has been undergoing physical therapy to regain motor functions. However, he must relearn basic activities such as eating, speaking, and brushing his teeth due to brain damage and injuries. His current state prevents him from communicating or moving independently, while the exact events of that fateful school day remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Elko PD is actively investigating the circumstances leading to Neo’s grave injuries, attempting to shed light on this deeply troubling case.
