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3 teens admit guilt in setting boy’s hair on fire

Stephanie McKeehan stands with her son, Devin Lewis, 16, as he speaks to the media Tuesday. Lewis spoke out about the February bullying incident on a Middletown City School District bus when three students set his hair on fire.

Staff photo by Lauren Pack Stephanie McKeehan stands with her son, Devin Lewis, 16, as he speaks to the media Tuesday. Lewis spoke out about the February bullying incident on a Middletown City School District bus when three students set his hair on fire.

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 3:25 AM Wednesday, May 4, 2011

HAMILTON — Three Middletown teens admitted guilt Tuesday in connection to setting a classmate’s hair on fire aboard a school bus in February.

The three boys, ages 15, 16 and 17 entered “true” pleas to reduced charges in Butler County Juvenile Court. Their trials were scheduled to begin Tuesday before Judge Kathleen Romans.

The 15-year-old and 17-year-old, originally charged with aggravated menacing, aggravated arson and assault, pleaded to a lesser charge of attempted aggravated assault. Romans ordered them returned to the Juvenile Detention Center until sentencing, where they already have served 60 days.

The 16-year-old, originally charged with obstruction of official business, pleaded to disorderly conduct. According to police, the boy did not cooperate when questioned about the hair-burning incident.

Romans ordered him to be placed on home incarceration until sentencing.

Before entering his plea, the 17-year-old said through his attorney, Kyle Napier, that he was sorry.

“He is very sorry for what occurred,” Napier said. “(The defendant) always considered the victim in this case to be a close friend. ... He still considers him a friend.”

The 16-year-old victim, Devin Lewis, said he was relieved he did not have to testify during the trial and is also glad one of the boys still considers him a friend.

The teen spoke out after the incident, saying launching a multimedia anti-bullying campaign with the Middletown City School District has made a difference.

“Stand up for yourself because you’re not always going to be as lucky as I am, to have people stand up for you,” Lewis said.

Stephanie McKeehan, Lewis’ mother, said her son has received an outpouring of support.

“They’ve sent him cards and letters of encouragement, so the support of the students has been very good,” she said.

The three boys will be back for sentencing on May 27 after the juvenile probation department performs an assessment.

They were accused of assaulting Lewis on Feb. 4 during a ride home from school on a Middletown district school bus.

Lewis said he was sitting on the bus listening to music when someone pulled off his hood and a male student held a lighter in front of his face, making him jerk his head back. That’s when another male student lit his hair on fire, according to Lewis and Middletown police reports.

The two juveniles charged with attempted aggravated assault could be sent to the Department of Youth Services for six months or until their 21st birthday. The teen charged with disorderly conduct could be sentenced to 90 days in the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center, where he already has served 60 days.

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