A 14-year-old Livingston High School student was flown by helicopter to a Houston-area hospital on Wednesday, September 23, after what her family describes as an unprovoked attack by fellow students. Police say five people have been arrested, four of them juveniles. Nataya Carter’s family says she remains hospitalized while doctors run additional tests.
What Nataya Carter’s Family Says Happened
Relatives told KTRK-TV that Nataya was not involved in a mutual fight. They say she was approached by two girls and repeatedly hit, and that she was then thrown into a brick wall, hitting her head. The family says she began having seizures shortly afterward.
Family members say they have seen cellphone video of the confrontation. “She was assaulted. She was walked up on, and she was swung at, and she was hit continuously by two ladies,” her aunt, Amber Gardner, said.
Her sister, Jalyncia Gardner, said the seizures were especially frightening because Nataya had never had one before. “Everybody knows she’s never had a seizure before, and so it’s like, for her to get in this altercation, and then this happened, we don’t know what to think,” she said.
A friend of Nataya’s, Darral Banks, described the aftermath as traumatic. “I was trying to pick up a few of her things and I couldn’t because there was blood on my hands, literal blood and I was crying ’cause I’ve never had blood on my hands like that,” Banks said.
Nataya was flown to a hospital in the Houston area, where she remained under care on Thursday. It’s unclear when she will be able to go home.
Five Arrests, but Roles Unclear
Livingston police confirmed to KTRK-TV that five people have been arrested in connection with the assault: four juveniles and one adult. Police have not released the names of the juveniles or the adult, have not detailed the allegations against each person, and have not said who is accused of directly assaulting Nataya.
Banks has said he believes some of the students arrested were actually trying to break up the fight. Police have not confirmed that, and the claim remains unverified. All five people arrested are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Questions About the School’s Response
Nataya’s family says that after reviewing video of the confrontation, they believe some time passed before school staff stepped in, and they are asking whether it could have been stopped sooner. School officials have not publicly determined that staff failed to respond properly, and authorities have not released a full account of what led up to the fight.
In a message to parents, Livingston ISD acknowledged the altercation and said that “students who engage in this type of behavior will be held accountable.” The district said those involved will face consequences through school disciplinary and legal processes.
What Happens Next
Nataya’s condition and recovery timeline have not been released beyond her family’s updates. The investigation is ongoing, and further details about the charges and each person’s alleged role are expected as the case moves forward.
