CLARKSVILLE, TN – A 12-year-old boy is in a fight for his life following a harrowing incident on a Montgomery County school bus that has left him unable to speak or walk. The boy, Hayden Horton, is recovering from emergency brain surgery after reportedly being put in a chokehold by an older student. The event has sparked multiple investigations into why two adults on the bus allegedly did not intervene.
Hayden’s mother, Jamie Horton, described her son as a happy child who loves video games, jokes, and spending time with his family. The nightmare began on October 11, when Hayden, a Kenwood Middle School student, was on a bus that also transported high school students. According to Jamie, a 16-year-old high schooler placed Hayden in a chokehold while adults present did nothing to stop it.
The incident was reportedly caught on video, which Jamie has not seen, but investigators have informed her that one of the adults used a wrestling term, “tap out,” indicating submission. Jamie expressed disbelief and anger over the lack of action from the adults, who are tasked with ensuring the safety of the children in their care.
In the days following the incident, Hayden’s health deteriorated. He experienced severe headaches and struggled with mobility, prompting his family to seek medical help. On October 20, he was admitted to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, where doctors discovered he had suffered multiple strokes due to blood clots, necessitating emergency brain surgery.
Doctors believe the strokes were caused by a tear in Hayden’s neck, consistent with the events described on the bus. Jamie Horton insists that her son’s medical crisis was triggered by the chokehold and is calling for accountability from those who failed to protect him.
As Hayden begins his long road to recovery, his family faces the daunting prospect of seeking specialized rehabilitation out of state. They have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the mounting medical expenses.
The community is rallying around the Horton family, demanding answers and justice. Montgomery County authorities continue to investigate, focusing on the actions, or lack thereof, of the adults involved. The case has raised serious questions about student safety and the responsibility of school staff to intervene in such situations.