A sixth-grader who claimed last week that three white boys at her school pinned her down and forcibly cut her dreadlocks while telling her that she “should not have been born,” admitted on Monday that the attack never happened and that she made the entire story up.
“The 12-year-old, who is African American, said three white boy students held her down in a school playground a week ago during recess, covered her mouth, called her insulting names and used scissors to cut her hair,” The Washington Post reported.
In a statement to The Post, the girl’s grandparents, who are her legal guardians, apologized for the incident:
To those young boys and their parents, we sincerely apologize for the pain and anxiety these allegations have caused. To the administrators and families of Immanuel Christian School, we are sorry for the damage this incident has done to trust within the school family and the undue scorn it has brought to the school. To the broader community, who rallied in such passionate support for our daughter, we apologize for betraying your trust. We understand there will be consequences and we’re prepared to take responsibility for them. We know that it will take time to heal, and we hope and pray that the boys, their families, the school and the broader community will be able to forgive us in time.
Immanuel Christian School Principal Stephen Danish also released a statement in response to the new developments:
We can now confirm that the student who accused three of her classmates of assault has acknowledged that the allegations were false. We’re grateful to the Fairfax County Police Department for their diligent work to investigate these allegations. While we are relieved to hear the truth and bring the events of the past few days to a close, we also feel tremendous pain for the victims and the hurt on both sides of this conflict. We recognize that we now enter what will be a long season of healing.
Left-wing activists pounced on the story when it first came out and used it to attack Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen, who teaches at the school.
A self-described activist that goes by the name “Big Boss” wrote on Twitter: “Three white boys attacked 12-year-old Amari Allen, held her hands behind her back, and cut her dreadlocks. Second Lady @KarenPence, wife of VP Mike Pence, teaches part-time at #ImmanuelChristianSchool. We will protest in Virginia if this isn’t handled.”
Three white boys attacked 12-year-old Amari Allen, held her hands behind her back, and cut her dreadlocks.
Second Lady @KarenPence, wife of VP Mike Pence, teaches part-time at #ImmanuelChristianSchool. We will protest in Virginia if this isn’t handled. pic.twitter.com/KwV5Pgn70Y
— Big Boss (@escapedmatrix) September 28, 2019
Bishop Talbert Swan tweeted: “What does @KarenPence, wife of @VP, the Second Lady of the United States, have to say about 3 racist white boys attacking a 12-year-old Black girl, Amari Allen, at the private Christian school she teaches at? So far, her silence is deafening.”
What does @KarenPence, wife of @VP, the Second Lady of the United States, have to say about 3 racist white boys attacking a 12-year-old Black girl, Amari Allen, at the private Christian school she teaches at?
So far, her silence is deafening.pic.twitter.com/pHAW3dVkS9
— Bishop Talbert Swan (@TalbertSwan) September 28, 2019
Left-wing CNN activist Keith Boykin tweeted: “Three sixth-grade white boys pinned down 12-year-old Amari Allen and cut off her “ugly” locs on Monday at Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Virginia, where Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, teaches.”
Three sixth-grade white boys pinned down 12-year-old Amari Allen and cut off her “ugly” locs on Monday at Immanuel Christian School in Springfield, Virginia, where Vice President Mike Pence’s wife, Karen Pence, teaches.https://t.co/cc0O5SbEke
— Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) September 27, 2019
Far-left Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) tweeted: “You are beautiful, Amari Allen. You are courageous & strong. You are loved. You see, Amari, you may not feel it now, but you have a power that threatens their core. I can’t wait to watch you use it and thrive. Stay strong.”
You are beautiful, Amari Allen. You are courageous & strong. You are loved.
You see, Amari, you may not feel it now, but you have a power that threatens their core. I can’t wait to watch you use it and thrive.
Stay strong. https://t.co/57rtAYby3h
— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) September 28, 2019