The relatives of the teenage girl accused of violently assaulting Kaylee Gain have expressed frustration at the removal of their fundraising efforts for legal fees, denouncing the actions of what they describe as ‘cruel’ individuals.
They assert that she is the true victim in this situation, as disclosed by DailyMail.com.
In a public statement aimed at clarifying misconceptions surrounding the case, the family of Maurnice DeClue, 15, who is currently in custody and appeared in court in St. Louis, Missouri today, confirmed her identity.
The altercation, which occurred on March 8 near Kaylee’s high school and was captured on camera, left Kaylee, 16, initially in critical condition. Maurnice, 15, is accused of repeatedly slamming Kaylee’s head into the concrete, resulting in a skull fracture and frontal lobe damage.
Although Kaylee has since been discharged from intensive care, her recovery process continues. According to a family lawyer, she has begun to engage in limited verbal communication and has been able to take short walks with the assistance of hospital staff.
At a hearing held at St. Louis County Court on Monday, officials scheduled a certification hearing for DeClue on May 10. This hearing will determine whether she will be tried as an adult for the first-degree felony assault charges.
Both sets of parents were present at the hearing, with the judge informing DeClue’s parents, Ronald (who attended court in a wheelchair) and Conseula, of their right to legal representation for themselves and their daughter.
When approached by DailyMail.com, both parents declined to comment, but DeClue’s lawyer, Gregory Smith, mentioned that despite being in detention, she is “doing well.” He described her as a “smart girl” and stated that efforts are being made to safeguard her, although she possesses a good understanding of the law.
Smith also dismissed allegations made by Kaylee’s attorneys regarding DeClue’s social media activity, asserting that the truth would emerge in court.
In an exclusive statement to DailyMail.com, Gwendolyn, DeClue’s aunt, asserted that DeClue was an honor roll student at Hazelwood East High School with an exemplary record. Gwendolyn claimed that DeClue was “defending herself” during the altercation with Kaylee.
Judge Dodson ordered both families to leave the courtroom separately, as is customary in his courtroom. A pre-trial management hearing is scheduled for May 1, nine days before the certification hearing.
After publicly confirming her name to address misconceptions surrounding her arrest, DeClue’s family initiated a fundraiser to cover her legal expenses. However, their GoFundMe has been removed due to terms and conditions violations, and their CashApp account was also shut down over alleged reports of a ‘scam’, according to Gwendolyn.
Expressing frustration on social media, Gwendolyn stated that the removal of the CashApp was the result of efforts by individuals who deemed it a scam, despite its legitimacy. She urged those willing to support her niece’s legal defense to reach out directly.
Reports suggest that DeClue’s parents expressed her desire to apologize to Kaylee ahead of the court hearing on Monday.
Kaylee’s parents have advocated for DeClue to be tried as an adult and have criticized her behavior, alleging threats toward Kaylee on social media. DeClue’s alleged lack of remorse, as indicated by social media posts shortly after the altercation, has intensified the demand for her to be charged as an adult.
DailyMail.com previously reported exclusive claims from DeClue’s family that she was an honor roll student and acted in self-defense during the brawl.
DeClue’s aunt Gwendolyn claims the family’s CashApp account to raise funds has been removed over reports of a ‘scam’
DeClue’s aunt wrote on Facebook, ‘Folk are just really working hard to oppose our family’ after their CashApp account was reported as a scam
The DeClue family has posted a flier online to explain the brawl and why Maurnice needs financial assistance
According to previous reports from DailyMail.com, relatives of DeClue initiated a Change.org petition urging the St. Louis Juvenile Court to exhibit ‘compassion’ toward the young girl.
DeClue’s aunt refuted claims of Kaylee being bullied by her niece and appealed for donations to assist with her legal expenses, emphasizing that the situation was more nuanced than it appeared. Described as an honor roll student fluent in four languages, DeClue was purportedly subjected to ‘harassment and bullying’ before the altercation.
The fundraiser, hosted on GoFundMe, contended that DeClue was unjustly portrayed as a bully and highlighted her as the victim in a complex scenario. Although it amassed nearly $3,000, the page was removed by GoFundMe.
The family asserted that they faced ‘racist death threats’ amid their efforts to secure a fair trial for DeClue.
DeClue’s relatives advocated for her amnesty and appealed for forgiveness, expressing concerns that her trial was being prejudiced. However, Kaylee’s family refuted these assertions, alleging attempts to diminish the severity of DeClue’s actions by highlighting her involvement in the choir and proficiency in multiple languages.
DeClue faces felony assault charges and is detained by the St. Louis Family Court, with a hearing scheduled for April 1.
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey attributed the brutality to an obsession with woke DEI policies and criticized the lenient approach to justice under former St. Louis DA Kim Gardner and current Rep Cori Bush.
He advocated for DeClue to be tried as an adult if Kaylee succumbed to the attack, a stance that drew backlash from supporters of the accused.
The Change.org petition urges the St. Louis Juvenile Court to extend ‘compassion’ to the schoolgirl. Over 460 individuals have endorsed the plea, contending that the incident has been exploited to tarnish her character and stoke racial and political tensions.
The petition underscores DeClue’s academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, linguistic proficiency, and victimhood as a bullied student defending herself under duress. It denounces political interference in the juvenile matter, which has exacerbated divisiveness locally and nationally.
A Change.org petition has been set up to support the teenager, calling on the St Louis Juvenile Court to show ‘compassion’ to the schoolgirl, DailyMail.com can reveal
The webpage also alleges that DeClue’s family has faced ‘numerous racist death threats’ and ‘doxxing’.
It characterizes the incident as ‘one mistake made under pressure’, emphasizing the importance of praying for the healing and reconciliation of both parties.
The petition is directed to Chief Juvenile Officer Rick Gaines and requires 500 signatures to bring the matter to his attention.
However, a spokesperson informed DailyMail.com that only the presiding judge has the authority to decide whether the teen will be charged as an adult, not Gaines. The court declined to provide further comment.
Gregory Smith, the suspect’s attorney, did not respond to inquiries regarding the fundraiser and petition.
However, he stated in a release that his client, a student at Hazelwood East School District, excelled academically, participated in the orchestra, and was a member of the school’s volleyball team.
He emphasized that discussing the specifics of the incident is inappropriate at this time, given the critical condition of another child. Smith joined in denouncing teen violence and bullying and expressed solidarity with the victim’s family.
Kaylee’s family seeks ‘justice through the legal system’ but implores other teenagers not to seek revenge against her alleged assailant.
Video footage of the altercation circulated on social media, depicting another girl repeatedly striking the teenager’s head against the concrete after delivering multiple blows, causing her to collapse to the ground.
Kaylee appeared to experience a seizure as other groups of teenagers fought nearby.
Police discovered the girl with a severe head injury near Norgate Drive and Claudine Drive, approximately a five-minute walk from the high school campus. She was transported to the hospital and remains in critical condition.
Following reports of the incident, the Hazelwood School District issued a statement condemning violence within the community and offering condolences to all affected parties. The district pledged additional emotional support from its support and crisis team for those in need.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk