East Texas

By ADAM RUSSELL
Staff Writer

ATHENS — A 13-year-old girl who claimed she was attacked by a group inside Athens Middle School was caught on a surveillance camera causing the injuries to herself.

The girl now faces disciplinary action from the school and will be charged with filing a false police report, AISD superintendent Fred Hayes said during a news conference today.

The parents of Melanie Bowers have since sent letters of apology to school and law enforcement investigators.

Hayes said officials in investigating the matter saw the tape that caught her scratching herself on the arms and neck. Last week she had claimed the injuries were inflicted by a group of about 20 students who also threatened to sexually assault and kill her.

The girl had participated in a history class project with a “protest” theme. She brought to school a protest sign reading “If you love your country stop illegal immigration.”

She claimed she was attacked because of the sign.

Hayes said Monday, a review of the allegations show that three students took the sign from her and that she reported the incident and was sent back to class. Later, the three students who took the sign were suspended.