‘I Was Outraged’: Wellston Parent Demands Answers After Son Is Photographed Inside School Bathroom

A Wellston mom said her son was bullied at school and she's demanding answers. She said high school students took photos of her son, who was using the bathroom, and shared them on Snapchat. Now she wants to press charges against the responsible students.

Small towns can feel peaceful and safe. That’s what Victoria Harris-Sandoval thought about her hometown of Wellston. 

“That actually failed me in this,” Harris-Sandoval said. “I didn’t think that I would get that at home – from my own hometown. I'm very disgusted.” 

Harris-Sandoval's opinion has changed, because of what happened on Jan. 10. She remembers the time exactly.  

“My [older] son texted me early that morning at 9:09,” Harris-Sandoval said. 

Her younger son Cade is autistic. 

“He can’t handle his emotions as well and there are also times where his grades suffer because he has attention problems,” Harris-Sandoval said. 

Harris-Sandoval's love for Cade is written all over her face. 

“Yes, he – he's very special,” Harris-Sandoval said with a smile. “He’s my best friend.” 

Harris-Sandoval worries about a lot of things with her son. 

“Being photographed in the bathroom by high school students was not on that list,” Harris-Sandoval said. 

Harris-Sandoval said high school students shared those photos of her son using the bathroom in group conversations on Snapchat. Harris-Sandoval said one of the photos was sent to her. 

Wellston School District Superintendent Mike Franz would not confirm details about this specific incident. However, he told News 9 he is aware of an incident that took place in a school restroom. Franz could not comment specifically on this investigation due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or FERPA law. 

Wellton Public Schools’ policy defines “bullying” as “any pattern of harassment, intimidation, threatening behavior, physical acts, verbal or electronic communication directed toward a student …" School bullying policy says bullying “will not be tolerated”. 

“They should’ve known better,” Harris-Sandoval said. 

Harris-Sandoval said she feels many different emotions. 

“As a parent I was outraged,” Harris-Sandoval said. “I felt like nobody cared, but me.” 

She said her hometown no longer reflects the safe place she’s known her whole life. 

“I just feel like none of this was taken as serious as it should have been,” Harris-Sandoval said. 

A spokesperson with the Lincoln County District Attorney’s office said their office is reviewing this case.