The grandmother of a 14-year-old boy who was violently assaulted during a high school football game is speaking out, determined to raise awareness about what she describes as a surge in youth violence.
On November 21, Marsha Edwards dropped off her grandson, Jaylen, at a Central Heights High School football game, expecting him to enjoy a typical Friday night. Instead, Edwards received a panicked phone call from one of Jaylen’s friends.
“‘Come now! They’re stomping Jaylen. They’re stomping his face.’ At first, I couldn’t believe it—was this a joke? But his friend was crying, screaming,” Edwards recalled.
Videos later circulated on social media showing Jaylen being attacked by several individuals as bystanders watched and cheered. Edwards said the footage left her both furious and terrified.
Jaylen was hospitalized with a concussion, multiple facial fractures, cuts, bruises, and an orbital eye injury. “Seeing him like that broke me. I felt like I had failed to protect him,” Edwards said.
The trauma has been compounded by the family’s history—Jaylen’s father was murdered several years ago. “A nurse told me at least he wasn’t killed, but that doesn’t ease the pain. It could have ended so much worse,” Edwards said, fighting back tears.
Edwards, who is the primary caregiver for Jaylen and his siblings, said the aftermath has been challenging. “We’re getting home late from the hospital, I haven’t had time to cook, and there’s extra costs—gas, prescriptions that aren’t covered,” she said.
The ongoing stress eventually led to her own hospitalization for a heart attack, which doctors attributed to the emotional toll of the incident.
Edwards is still searching for answers. “Every student should be able to attend a school event—football, basketball, anything—and feel safe,” she said.
Central County Sheriff’s Office supplies school resource officers through a partnership with the district, but repeated requests for comment from the sheriff’s office went unanswered.
“Someone failed to protect him. He was not protected,” Edwards said.
The Central Heights School District released a brief statement after the incident but declined to address questions about security measures, surveillance video, or whether the family had been contacted, citing privacy policies.
“No one from the school, the district, or the school board has reached out to us,” Edwards said.
Jaylen, described by his grandmother as a “gentle giant,” declined to speak publicly but agreed to appear on camera. Edwards said the attack has left him withdrawn and fearful.
“He doesn’t want to go out in public anymore, not even to the store,” she explained. “We don’t feel safe—everyone seems to know who we are, but we don’t know them.”
Edwards said she is sharing her story because this could happen to any family. “I hope our community, our officials, and law enforcement come together to address this. We need more resources to stop the violence,” she said.
She also called on parents to take a more active role. “We can’t just be our kids’ friends—we have to be parents. We have to know what’s going on in their lives,” Edwards added.
Jaylen is now focused on recovery and still hopes to one day play football for a historically Black college or university.
According to Central City Police, three juveniles have been arrested and charged with second-degree battery in connection with the assault.
