15-year-old girl Aliyah Konton went missing after a video began circulating allegedly showing her being ruthlessly bullied.
Aliyah Konton vanished after a video showing her being bullied surfaced on social media.
A Massachusetts high school has been deeply affected by the news of Aliyah Konton's disappearance.
The 15-year-old had just transferred to Mashpee High School in Cape Cod and was reportedly the target of a severe bullying incident.
The disturbing video, which was shared on platforms like Snapchat, shows Aliyah being punched in the face repeatedly by another girl while someone else records the ordeal.
During the assault, after enduring multiple hits and having her hair pulled, Aliyah is commanded to lick the bathroom floor.
Initially, she hesitates but is slapped again and ultimately forced to put her face on the floor.
This incident is believed to have occurred on May 25, but the parents at the school were only informed about it eight days later when Aliyah was reported missing.
Following her disappearance from her home in Mashpee and the circulation of the attack footage, an 'intense search using multiple local, state, and federal resources' was launched.
On Monday, the Mashpee Police Department posted on Facebook, warning that she might be in danger.
Many parents expressed their frustration on Facebook both with the ongoing search for Aliyah and with the school's poor communication.
One mother with children at the school posted online: "The lack of communication and the complete lack of accountability and consequences for the perpetrators in the school system are beyond disgraceful."
Another added: "I hope to God she's found safe and alive and those kids on that video face the consequences of their horrific actions."
Fortunately, on June 5, Aliyah was found safe.
The Police then updated the community via Facebook about her safe recovery.
Cathy Lewis, the vice chair of the Mashpee School Committee expressed: "I couldn't be more relieved.
"I'm so grateful to all of our first responders and all of the community that has gone out and helped to bring her home safely."
During the search, Mashpee Police Chief Scott Carline announced that charges had been filed against the girl involved in the alleged assault.
Chief Carline also stated: "We realize this series of events have caused great concern and attention from the public and we continue to deploy all available resources to safely bring this case to a successful resolution within the parameters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts juvenile laws."
