A mysterious incident at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia has left a 15-year-old freshman with severe injuries and his family searching for answers, while authorities investigate what happened on August 19, 2025, that sent August Borden to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
“Covered in Blood” – A Parent’s Worst Nightmare
What began as an ordinary Tuesday at Deshler High School turned into every parent’s worst fear when Kristen Van Devender received a call about her son. The school told her August had suffered a “traumatic fall,” but when she arrived, she found him “covered in blood,” according to local news reports.
The severity of August’s injuries became immediately apparent to first responders. The 15-year-old required CPR at the scene and was airlifted to Birmingham ICU, where he remained unconscious for nearly two days.
“From one parent to another, you don’t know fear until you see your son flown by Air Evac to a hospital hours away,” wrote August’s stepfather, Drew Van Devender, in a Facebook post describing the harrowing experience.
Extensive Injuries Raise Questions
August’s medical evaluation revealed the devastating extent of his injuries: a skull fracture behind his sinus cavity, fractures to his orbital bones, and a concussion. The severity of these injuries has prompted questions about what exactly happened at the school.
Drew Van Devender explained that doctors initially said August “should have full brain function within the next 2 weeks” and that “he is progressing well,” though the teen still required additional medical visits for facial fractures once swelling subsided.
On August 23, 2025, August was discharged from the hospital to continue his recovery at home, but significant questions about the incident remain unanswered.
Conflicting Stories Complicate Investigation
One of the most troubling aspects of the case is the lack of clear information about what actually happened to August. Multiple conflicting accounts have emerged, creating confusion for both investigators and the family.
August’s father, Jason Borden, told media that “some people said his son fell down the stairs while others said another student alleged attacked him.” Mayor William Foster acknowledged this problem, stating that “there are a lot of different stories, and the stories differ even within those who were there when August got hurt.”
“Some have said he fell off the bleachers, some say down some stairs in a building, some have said he fell down some stairs outside a building,” Foster explained, highlighting the inconsistencies in witness accounts.
Adding to the mystery, August’s mother confirmed that he was not at football practice when the incident occurred, contradicting some initial assumptions about the circumstances.
Memory Loss Hampers Investigation
August’s own memory of the events has been compromised by his injuries. Mayor Foster revealed that the teenager “could not remember details of the event and describes Tuesday as a blackout.”
Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan explained that authorities had not yet been able to interview August “because of his medical issues,” adding that “as soon as we can talk to him, it will clarify a lot.”
This memory loss is not uncommon in cases involving significant head trauma and concussions, but it creates additional challenges for determining exactly what happened.
Official Response and Investigation
The Tuscumbia Police Department confirmed on August 24, 2025, that they were actively investigating the incident. In a statement, they assured the community that “this matter is being taken very seriously” and that they were “actively reviewing all evidence in a fair process while protecting the privacy and well-being of those involved.”
Mayor Foster emphasized that “the initial 911 call was a medical call. It was not a criminal call. The initial report was that August fell,” though he acknowledged the need for a thorough investigation given the conflicting accounts.
Tuscumbia City Schools stated on August 25, 2025, that they were “cooperating with the Tuscumbia City Police Department on the incident that happened on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025.”
School Safety and Liability Concerns
This incident raises important questions about school safety protocols and potential liability when students are seriously injured on campus.
Alabama schools have a legal duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for students, and serious injuries like August’s can trigger comprehensive reviews of safety procedures.
When students suffer significant injuries at school, several liability factors may come into play:
- Inadequate Supervision: Schools must provide appropriate supervision, especially in areas where accidents are more likely to occur.
- Dangerous Conditions: If unsafe physical conditions contributed to the injury, the school district could face liability for premises defects.
- Delayed Response: The adequacy of emergency response and medical care provided immediately after an injury can affect legal outcomes.
- Bullying or Violence: If another student was involved in causing the injuries, both the perpetrator and potentially the school could face liability.
Each of these factors requires thorough investigation to determine whether the school met its legal obligations to protect student safety and prevent foreseeable harm.
The Challenge of School Injury Cases
Personal injury cases involving public schools present unique legal challenges. Alabama’s sovereign immunity laws provide some protections for government entities, but exceptions exist when schools fail to meet their duty of care to students.
Establishing liability in school injury cases often requires proving that the school knew or should have known about dangerous conditions or inadequate supervision that contributed to the injury. The conflicting witness accounts in August’s case could complicate efforts to establish exactly what happened and whether preventable factors contributed to his injuries.
Understanding Compensation for School Injuries
Families dealing with serious school injuries face significant financial pressures. Medical expenses for traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures can be substantial, often requiring:
- Emergency transportation and trauma care.
- Extended hospital stays and ICU treatment.
- Neurological monitoring and rehabilitation.
- Reconstructive surgery for facial fractures.
- Long-term cognitive and physical therapy.
Compensation in school injury cases may include medical expenses, lost wages for parents providing care, pain and suffering, and future care needs if permanent disabilities result.
The complexity of these cases often requires experienced legal representation to navigate both the investigation process and potential liability claims against school districts.
A Family’s Search for Answers
Drew Van Devender’s Facebook post reflected the frustration many families feel when serious school injuries occur without clear explanations: “We have no real details of the incident and would just like answers.”
He emphasized that the family wasn’t “trying to start a revolution” but simply wanted “to get answers as any parent would.”
August’s mother, Kristen, expressed her ongoing distress despite her son’s recovery: “It’s so hard to process that something like this would happen to your child, seeing your child airlifted and incubated, it’s been so tragic.”
Moving Forward with Safety in Mind
As August continues his recovery at home, his case highlights the importance of thorough school safety protocols and transparent communication when serious injuries occur. The ongoing police investigation will hopefully provide clarity about what happened on August 19, 2025.
For other families, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of understanding your rights when school injuries occur and the need for schools to maintain safe environments and adequate supervision for all students.
The case also demonstrates the critical importance of preserving evidence and witness testimony immediately after school incidents, as conflicting accounts can complicate both investigations and any potential legal proceedings.
Let Justice Roll
If your child has been seriously injured at school in Alabama, our experienced personal injury attorneys here at Baxley Maniscalco can help you understand your rights and options.
School injury cases involve complex legal issues, and families deserve answers and appropriate compensation when negligence contributes to serious harm.
Located in Oxford, Alabama, our team has extensive experience handling personal injury cases involving children and understands the unique challenges these cases present.
We work with medical experts and investigators to build strong cases for our clients while providing compassionate support during difficult times.
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