DEVILS LAKE, N.D. – An arrest was made after a disturbing incident at a city park where a woman is accused of striking a young child in the face with a basketball multiple times. Court records and witness accounts describe a public assault that left the child with visible injuries and prompted a felony charge.
The Incident as Reported by Witnesses and Police
Officers responded to reports of an assault at Roosevelt Park, where witnesses identified Chassidy Driver as the person allegedly involved. According to court documents obtained by local media, the woman pulled a three-year-old child off a fence and struck him in the head before bouncing a basketball off his face multiple times.
“She pulled the child down off a fence, hit him in the head, and bounced the basketball off his face multiple times.”
Injuries, Evidence and Arrest
Police reported that the child sustained three abrasions on the face of varying sizes, injuries officials say were consistent with the described assault. Driver was taken into custody and transported to the Lake Region Correctional Center.
- Location: Roosevelt Park, Devils Lake, North Dakota
- Victim: Three-year-old child (age confirmed in court records)
- Suspect: Chassidy Driver
- Charge: Felony child abuse (victim under 6)
- Evidence: Witness statements, documented abrasions consistent with assault
Legal Charges and Next Steps
Driver faces a felony child abuse charge under state law for allegedly assaulting a victim under six years old. The case will proceed through the criminal justice system; arraignment and further court dates have not been detailed in the available records.
Community Concerns and Safety Questions
Incidents like this raise questions about park safety, supervision standards, and how bystanders should respond when children are in danger. Community members and local officials may seek clarity on preventive measures and resources for families.
- Public safety: Importance of immediate reporting to law enforcement when a child is endangered.
- Support: Need for child welfare follow-up and medical evaluation after alleged abuse.
- Prevention: Community outreach on recognizing and intervening safely in suspected child abuse situations.
What happens next: Prosecutors will review the evidence and witness statements before moving forward with formal court proceedings. The community and victim’s family may be notified of hearings and updates as the case develops.
What do you think about this case? Have you or someone you know witnessed similar behavior in public spaces? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
