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BAY VILLAGE, Ohio — As reported by Fox News, Ohio police are searching for the individuals involved in a cruel prank targeting a teenager with autism.
Police say the young man was told by a group of boys that he would be participating in the popular “Ice Bucket Challenge” as part of the ALS fundraiser. They led him to the driveway of a home and then instructed him to strip down to his boxer shorts and wait to get doused with icy water.
As one of conspirators filmed the event with the victim’s cellphone, the others climbed on the roof and poured a bucket of feces, urine and spit on the young man.
The video was posted and shared online, though it didn’t come to the attention of police until the victim’s mother discovered it on his phone.
"He was embarrassed because he did not know what the contents were until afterwards and then he didn't want anybody to know," his mother told Fox News.
Police are unsure of how many individuals were involved in the prank, but they believe all the conspirators are students at Bay High School. Police chief Mark Spaetzel described the video as one of the most disturbing things he’s encountered in his career. Referring to the incident as “reprehensible,” he vowed to bring charges against those who participated.
School officials are also expressing their outrage and promising swift punishment for the pranksters. Superintendent Clint Keener posted a message on the school district’s website saying that the “entire Bay Village Schools community is heartsick over the cruel actions taken against one of our special needs students.”
Members of the Bay Village community have reached out to support the victim and his family. As reported by WKYC News, many are decorating their yards with the color blue to show their support for those with autism and ALS.
Celebrities from around the country have also gotten involved, pledging money for a reward to hasten the arrest of the pranksters. Actor and comedian Drew Carey pledged $10,000 for a reward with others following his lead.
Grant Olsen joined the KSL.com team in 2012. He covers outdoor adventures, travel, product reviews and other interesting things. You can contact him at grantorrin@gmail.com.
