School officials and the Charles County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an incident at a county elementary school that sparked concerns after the mother of a young student posted about it on social media.

In a viral Instagram post, a woman claimed her son, a second-grader at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School in Waldorf, was “hanged” Friday in the boys’ restroom by a fourth-grader. She shared a photo of her son lying in a hospital bed.

In a letter sent to the school community On Friday, Principal Carrie Burke said two students were “playing” in the school bathroom when “one student’s jacket got caught on the stall door hook.” The mother of the injured student, however, objected to this description: telling the Washington Post it wasn’t about joking and saying that school districts “shouldn’t take bullying lightly.”

In a statement regarding the incident, Superintendent Maria Navarro said Sunday that Charles County Public Schools would not disclose additional information until the end of the investigation. In response to a request for comment Monday, CCPS highlighted Navarro and Burke’s statements.

Here’s what we know so far.

What would have happened?

In a Instagram post On Saturday, which has now received more than 699,000 likes, the woman said she received a phone call from the school informing her that her son was being taken to hospital.

“The principal went into the bathroom and found my baby foaming and unconscious,” she wrote.

The boy’s mother disputed the principal’s claims that the incident occurred while her son was “playing” with an older student, reported the Washington Post.

In Friday’s letter, Burke said the student stuck in the stall door was “not able to free himself” and that the other student involved left the restroom to “seek assistance from staff.” . School administrators responded and staff called 911, Burke said.

The woman said in an interview with The Post that the fourth-grader told her 7-year-old son, “‘I’m going to show you how I did people back then,'” before the student further old man deliberately hangs his child. . She told the Post her son couldn’t breathe.

The Post did not name the student’s mother, saying she wanted to protect her son’s identity. The woman did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent on social media.

In another Instagram post on Sunday, the boy’s mother said she had learned the identity of the other child involved but would not share his name. “This is not about race,” she wrote, noting that the other child is African American. “It’s a school/parent problem.”

At the end of her message, she asked that people stop sending threats online, and if people feel inclined to protest, “I just ask that you keep the peace.”

The boy is said to have returned from the hospital and is recovering.

How did the school react?

At the superintendent’s Sunday letter, Navarro said the injured student was released from the hospital and is now home. She reassured the school community in the letter that CCPS was not covering up what happened, contrary to online comments she saw.

“Neither the principal nor the school system is hiding anything,” she wrote. “Instead, we are sharing whatever information we can while we conduct a thorough investigation.” »

She said speculation about what happened and the circulation of false information were hampering the investigation. She also referenced online comments directed at staff and said “the information circulating is alarming and involves strong emotions,” but noted “this does not warrant threats.”

As the Charles County Sheriff’s Office investigation continues, the superintendent said school administrators are supporting students, families and staff with mental health resources. School staff will also discipline any student who violates the CCPS Code of Student Conduct because the safety of all students is a priority, she said.

Finally, she said CCPS will not release any more information about the incident until the investigation is complete.

What did the sheriff’s office say?

A school resource officer is investigating the incident, confirmed Diane Richardson, a spokeswoman for the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

As of Monday, they had no additional updates to share.