Victim's family and former prosecutor respond to charges in viral doorbell bullying incident

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — (KBAK/FOX58) Two teenagers are facing assault, conspiracy and false imprisonment charges after a video circulated online showed the teens forcing a middle school student to lick their shoes.

Former Kern County Assistant District Attorney Dennis Beaver reviewed the charges and the video.

“This is not bullying, this is physical assault,” Beaver said.

Eyewitness News asked Beaver how the conspiracy and false imprisonment charges fit into the video. Beaver pointed out that conspiracy involves the idea of ​​committing a crime, whether verbally planned or not.

“The two attackers who beat this boy may not have spoken a word to each other at all,” Beaver said. “But ultimately they joined forces to beat him.”

The victim's sister, Mariah Washington, is grateful that charges have been brought, but still wants to make an example of the teenage bullies.

“This isn't just affecting my family, it's affecting everyone,” Washington said. “Bullying just has to stop. The age group is getting younger and younger.”

Beaver tells Eyewitness News that there is a possibility of a civil lawsuit against the parents of those arrested.