The Madison County District Attorney's Office is now investigating the violent incident at Deshler High School that resulted in a student being life-flighted to a Birmingham Hospital with severe head trauma.
On August 19, freshman August Borden was on his way to football practice when he suffered major injuries to his head and face. He was airlifted to an ICU in Birmingham, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including a fractured skull, two broken orbital sockets, a concussion, and various cuts and bruises. Additionally, his parents also recently learned his heart had stopped before EMS arrived and administered CPR.
"I don't know who performed CPR that afternoon, but from the bottom of my heart- thank you," August Borden's father, Jason, said in a Facebook message shared with podcaster Catey Watson Hall.
In the two weeks since, multiple narratives of what exactly happened to August Borden that day have emerged. School officials initially told his parents that one or more other students were responsible for the attack. However, the story of his injuries soon changed to be the result of an accidental fall.
After significant public outcry for transparency and the persistence of August Borden's parents, the Tuscumbia Police launched an investigation. However, last Thursday, the department announced it was turning over the investigation to the Franklin County Juvenile Probation Office with "assistance" from the Madison County District Attorney's Office.
Madison County chief deputy District Attorney Tim Gann told 1819 News that his office began investigating the case on Tuesday and that it was like "starting over from scratch."
"We're about two weeks behind everybody else that's been involved in the case," Gann said. "We're getting caught up on it right now. The district attorney up there [Colbert County] knew some of the folks who were involved in it, so he felt like he needed to recuse. We agreed to handle the case, but we are basically just now getting started on it."
He continued, "It started out as a medical call, and it has turned into a criminal investigation. I think that may be part of the delay. It didn't start out as a criminal investigation, but it is a criminal investigation now… Plus, when you change over agencies, we're starting from scratch."
Drew Van Devender, August Borden's stepfather, told 1819 News on Wednesday morning that his son was continuing to recover "slowly" and was regaining his strength despite headaches and not being able to see out his left eye.
Kristen Van Devender, August Borden's mother, said in a Facebook post that she and her family have faced a great deal of "shame" and "suspicions" in their fight for justice for their son.
"We are demanding accountability, not pity. Every single day, we are grateful our child is still with us, even as we mourn the life he once had. His world has been changed forever—and so has ours," she said. "To the mothers—and others—who have rushed to judge us: I ask you to pause and imagine this nightmare happening to your own family. Would you want compassion—or condemnation? Really think about it. Because unless you've lived it, you cannot know the depth of the pain, fear, and trauma we've endured."
Jason Borden said he would not stop pushing for the truth until his son gets the justice he deserves and all those responsible are held accountable.
"August is still fighting. His road to recovery will be a long one, likely spanning years or even his entire life, with countless appointments with medical specialists. He still struggles with memory loss—simple things like forgetting where plates are kept in his own kitchen—but his love and sense of humor remain intact. We are so incredibly thankful that he is still with us," he stated in Hall's Facebook post. "...The fight for justice is far from over. It is only beginning. We will fight for the justice August deserves, despite the corruption and incompetence we are up against. I promise you this, our fight won't end even after August gets the justice he deserves. We will not stop until the corruption in Tuscumbia, Alabama, is exposed and eradicated, ensuring that no other family has to endure the pain and trauma that August and my family have been forced to go through."
An online fundraiser to help cover August Borden's medical expenses has nearly reached its $20,000 goal.
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