EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: “Child Fight Club” Incident Shows Verbal, Physical Abuse

JONESBORO, Ark. — Exclusive video obtained by NEA Report through a Freedom of Information Act request shows the incident at the center of the “child fight club” case that drew widespread attention after prosecutors alleged a school director allowed the physical and emotional abuse of a child.

Editor’s note: The video contains images of the physical and emotional abuse of a child. Viewer discretion is advised. Faces and names were censored by AI before NEA Report received the video. Some redactions appear to be incorrect, including redactions involving adults.

The case involved ENGAGE School and The Delta Institute for Developing the Brain in Craighead County. The video was obtained after court records previously detailed allegations that a 13-year-old child was placed in the center of a circle while other juvenile students were allowed to physically and emotionally abuse the child.

The case has since been resolved against the primary defendant, Mary “Tracy” Morrison.

Sonia F. Hagood, prosecuting attorney for the Second Judicial District, announced that Morrison pleaded guilty to one count of permitting child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.

Morrison was sentenced to 60 months’ probation for permitting child abuse and 12 months’ probation for each count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. She will also serve 30 days in the county jail. At her request, Morrison was allowed to serve the sentence in the Greene County jail, according to the prosecutor.

Upon release, Morrison will complete 120 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring.

As part of the resolution, Morrison is prohibited from working with children in any professional capacity and will surrender her occupational therapy and related licenses. She also must complete a mental health assessment, comply with all recommended treatment and have no contact with the victim.

The case began April 17, 2025, when the victim’s mother reported to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office that her 13-year-old child had been subjected to mental and physical abuse at the school.

According to court records, a review of video footage obtained through a search warrant showed Morrison directing other students to place their hands on the juvenile, who was positioned in the center of a circle. The footage also showed Morrison physically striking the child with an unknown object and placing her hands on the child, prosecutors said.

The probable cause affidavit previously stated that Morrison was seen and heard on video during the incident.

“Dr. Morrison verbally berated the child the whole time as she watched many of the other students sitting around the circle punch, kick, and choke the juvenile victim sitting inside the circle,” Detective David Bailey wrote in the affidavit. “After the first juvenile choked the juvenile victim, Dr. Morrison can be seen giving the juvenile a high five, displaying her pleasure with the student’s actions.”

The affidavit stated the abusive incident lasted approximately 30 minutes.

“This resolution ensures that the victims are not required to relive these events through the court process and secures conditions that protect the community going forward,” Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Thomason said. “Morrison will no longer be permitted to work with children.”

“This outcome reflects a thorough evaluation of the evidence, the applicable law, and the best interests of the victim,” Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katie Calaway said. “It imposes meaningful restrictions and accountability while prioritizing the well-being of those affected.”

The case was prosecuted by Thomason and Calaway.

Three co-defendants in the case also had their cases resolved.

Katherine Lipscomb, who faced charges of permitting child abuse and failure to notify by a mandated reporter, had her case transferred to Restoration Court. Prosecutors described it as typically a six-month program. If completed successfully, the case may be dismissed.

Lipscomb also must take mandated reporter training, perform 40 hours of community service at a nonprofit with special needs children and enroll in anger management classes. The no-contact order was also removed at the request of the victim and the victim’s mother.

Cases against Michael Bean Jr. and Kristen Bell were nolle prosequi on May 6, according to court filings. Both cases were dropped at the request of the victim and the victim’s mother, according to orders signed by Circuit Judge Chris Thyer.