A five-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after he was beaten to a pulp during a Boy Scouts meeting that was left unsupervised after a pack leader stepped outside to vape, according to a new lawsuit.
The little boy, only identified as D.R. in the legal filing, once enjoyed his time as a Cub Scout in Ohio, but after the alleged incident, all of that changed, court documents filed by his parents detailed.
During a Cub Scout meeting on December 4, 2025, at Jadel Leadership Center, Erie Shores Council in Toledo, a 12-year-old boy, named only as L.C., allegedly kicked D.R. in the stomach, stepped on his leg, and punched him in the face, the lawsuit reviewed by the Daily Mail read.
At the time, pack leader Christopher Coakley, 34, stepped outside to vape, 'leaving only two other registered leaders in the room to supervise the entirety of Pack 422,' the filing read.
After being viciously beaten up, D.R. was rushed to the emergency room by his mother, Breanna Russell. The violent incident was not reported by Coakley or Erie Shores Council until four days after it happened, the lawsuit said.
Doctors determined that the injured Cub Scout suffered a painful break in his thighbone and an oblique fracture in his leg.
The injuries were so severe that D.R. had to have emergency surgery so flexible titanium elastic nails could be placed into his femur to stabilize the fracture, the lawsuit stated.
He then had to be placed in a hip cast, 'severely limiting his mobility and independence,' it added.
A five-year-old boy, identified only as D.R., was severely injured after he was allegedly beaten up by a 12-year-old boy during a Cub Scout meeting in Toledo, Ohio
The alleged incident took place at Jadel Leadership Center, Erie Shores Council (pictured)
Because of his injuries, D.R. has had to miss school and needs assistance completing everyday tasks.
He now faces a world of physical therapy appointments and having the rods in his leg for six months to a year, the lawsuit said.
Breanna filed a police report with the Bowling Green Police Department on December 10 in regard to the situation involving her son, the filing stated.
She told WTOL11 that she and other parents were in the room at the time of the alleged attack, but no one said they saw it take place.
'Everyone claims they didn't see anything,' Christopher Russel, the boy's father, told the outlet.
After the alleged assault on her son, Breanna said she knew something was wrong as soon as she heard him shriek.
'When he was yelling like that, we just knew something was so wrong. He was so hurt,' she recalled.
His distraught mom added: 'I heard him yell for the first time, and that is a sound that I will never, never forget as a mother. Because I took my eyes off for a split second. He was laughing, having fun.'
The Russells said the kids were not separated by age groups when the alleged brawl broke out because of the number of parents who were there.
Cub Scouts are typically separated into smaller dens, depending on their age group. Children aged seven to 10 are able to join Cub Scouts. Anyone over that age can join the Boy Scouts, according to Scouting America.
Breanna said everything changed after Coakley stepped outside to vape.
'The order changed when he stepped out because he was really good at keeping order for the children,' she explained.
Following the lawsuit, the Scouting America Erie Shores Council said: 'We want to express our sincere concern and sympathy for the Cub Scout and his family. The safety and well-being of every young person in our programs is our highest priority. Council leadership has been in direct and ongoing communication with the family to check on the Scout's condition and to offer assistance.
'We have worked closely with them to help guide the insurance process and ensure they had the information and support they needed.'
The organization continued: 'Because this matter is now in litigation, we are limited in what we can share publicly. However, we remain focused on supporting the youth involved, their family, and our volunteers. We work every day to provide a safe and positive Scouting experience for all participants.'
Because of his injuries, the little boy has missed school and has to get around with a cast on his hip
The injuries were so severe that D.R. had to have emergency surgery so flexible titanium elastic nails could be placed into his femur to stabilize the fracture
D.R.'s family has demanded a jury trial and $25,000 in damages.
His parents hope that their son will one day find passion in scouting again.
'He's a very energetic, happy little guy who was so proud to be part of Cub Scouts,' she said.
The Daily Mail contacted Coakley and the Scouting America Erie Shores Council for comment.