Family Sues Scouting America After 5-Year-Old Ohio Cub Scout Assaulted During Leader's Alleged 'Vaping Break'

A five-year-old Cub Scout was severely injured in Ohio due to an alleged assault that happened during a Bowling Green Cub Scout meeting last year. The assault has triggered a lawsuit against Scouting America and Erie Shores Council.

Assault Happened During Scout Leader's Vaping Break

NBC Affiliate WKYC reported that on 4 December 2025, the child was attending a Cub Scout meeting with Pack 422 when a supervising pack leader went outside during the meeting to take a 'vaping break'.

According to the press release from Boyk Law, an older scout, who is more physically developed than the five-year-old victim, allegedly punched the child in the head, kicked him in the stomach, and stomped on his leg, resulting in a serious thighbone fracture, which required emergency surgery with possible long-term effects.

The child suffered a broken femur and will have to be in a cast for six months.

Meanwhile, according to the Bowling Green police report, the alleged assault happened during a snowball fight with 'fake snowballs'. Furthermore, the child's mother was present at the scene but looked away to assist another mother when she heard her child scream.

After noticing that something was wrong with the five-year-old's leg, the parents took the child to the hospital.

Alleged Assailant Denies Involvement

On 9 February, while talking to the Job and Family Services employee, the accused child denied his involvement in the incident.

Furthermore, records indicate that Wood County Juvenile and Family Services notified police on 13 January that they would decline to investigate the matter. Similarly, the Juvenile Prosecutor confirmed that his office would not be pursuing any criminal charges regarding the incident.

The Lawsuit Against Scouting America and Erie Shores Council

Parents of the five-year-old filed a civil lawsuit with the Lucas County Common Pleas Court on 27 February, naming Scouting America, Erie Shores Council, and one of the supervisors, as well as the juvenile accused of assaulting the victim and their parents, as plaintiffs.

The report indicated that the alleged assailant has a history of attacking the five-year-old victim. The victim's parents are seeking $25,000 (more than £18,000) in damages, as well as attorney fees.

The lawyer of the victim claims that attendees of the scout meeting are usually separated by age; however, this was not implemented that day.

Furthermore, they argued that the amount of supervision was inadequate as they were only left with two registered leaders in the room to supervise all of Pack 422, which allowed the assault to happen.

No One Saw the Assault

Meanwhile, the cub master for the pack told the police that no one saw the snowball fight before the incident, nor the incident itself.

Authorities also said that the church hosting the meeting had no surveillance cameras in the area where the scouts were gathered, according to the Pastor the police interviewed.

Erie Shores Council's Statement

In a statement, the Erie Shores Council of Scouting America, of which Pack 422 is a part, 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'.

The council has confirmed that their leaders are now in direct and ongoing communication with the victim's family to check on the condition of the five-year-old and offer assistance.

'We have worked closely with them to help guide the insurance process and ensure they had the information and support they needed,' they added.

'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,' the council said.