A mother in Ramsey is speaking out after her 9-year-old son, who has autism and ADHD, reportedly returned home in tears following what she described as a bullying incident at Corrie Park.
Holly Louise Hewitt shared her account in the Ramsey Community Pinboard Facebook group, saying her son had been spending time at the park alone when a group of boys approached him. According to Hewitt, her son had been digging a hole in the dirt when the boys, believed to be around his age, accused him of interrupting their game.
Hewitt alleges that the boys then pulled her son’s mobile phone from the lanyard around his neck, breaking the lanyard in the process. She said the phone was subsequently thrown into a bush.
The mother also alleged that the boys threatened to push her son down a hill. She said the experience left him extremely upset and frightened, resulting in him returning home in tears.
For Hewitt, the incident was particularly upsetting because allowing her son to visit the park independently had represented an important milestone in his development. She explained that support workers had encouraged the family to give him greater freedom and independence so that his autism and ADHD would not prevent him from participating in activities other children his age can enjoy.
According to Hewitt, her son had successfully been visiting Corrie Park by himself since the beginning of the week and had been enjoying the experience without any difficulties. The alleged incident has now undermined that progress and left him too frightened to return.
Hewitt said she had wanted the opportunity to encourage her son’s independence and confidence, but now fears that what happened may cause him to become reluctant to visit the park alone again.
In her Facebook post, Hewitt appealed to parents in the area and asked anyone whose children had been at Corrie Park to speak with them about the incident. She stressed that even if a child believes someone is interfering with a game, that does not justify taking another person’s belongings or threatening them.
The post attracted a significant response from local residents, with several people discussing whether problems involving antisocial behavior and bullying had become more common at the park.
Some commenters suggested that Mooragh Park could provide an alternative location for children, although Hewitt explained that the journey there would currently be too far for her son to make independently.
Other parents shared accounts of their own children allegedly being targeted at Corrie Park, adding to the discussion about whether additional supervision or intervention may be needed.
One mother, who said her own son is also nearly 9 and has autism and ADHD, offered to arrange a playdate so that the two boys could spend time together. The suggestion was intended to give both children an opportunity to socialize in a more supportive environment.
Another commenter focused on a practical concern involving the phone and suggested using stronger metal connectors for mobile-phone lanyards so they would be more difficult to pull away from a child.
The wider discussion also moved into broader debates about parenting and children’s behavior in the local area. Some commenters criticized what they viewed as poor discipline among young people, while others argued that such comments risk unfairly generalizing about children and families.
Hewitt has since disabled comments on her original post, bringing the public discussion to an end on that thread.
It remains unclear whether the incident was formally reported to police, park officials, or another authority. The allegations described in Hewitt’s social-media post have not been independently verified, and the identities of the children allegedly involved have not been established publicly.
The incident has nevertheless highlighted the difficulties families can face when children with additional needs are encouraged to develop independence in public spaces. For Hewitt, allowing her son to visit the park alone had been an important step toward greater confidence and freedom.
She now hopes that other parents will speak with their children about respecting other people’s belongings and understanding the impact that intimidation or threats can have on another child.
For the family, the immediate concern is helping the 9-year-old regain his confidence while ensuring that his experience does not permanently prevent him from enjoying activities independently.
As the community continues to discuss the incident, Hewitt’s account has prompted renewed conversations about bullying, inclusion, supervision, and the importance of creating public spaces where children can feel safe.
