HOPE MILLS, N.C. — A Cumberland County woman wants justice for her nephew after she says he was bullied at school and had to transfer.

• Fourteen-year-old Julius Smith went to South View High School in October and said a student urinated in his water bottle
• He said he was told the officer kept the water bottle as evidence against the accused student
• However, during a court hearing in January, the family said the school resource officer lied and threw the bottle away

Fourteen-year-old Julius Smith went to South View High School in October and said a student urinated in his water bottle. Smith then filed a report to the school resource officer.

He said he was told the officer kept the water bottle as evidence against the accused student. However, during a court hearing in January, the family said the school resource officer lied and threw the bottle away.

“I’m blown away that nobody sympathizes with that, and no one at the sheriff’s department and no one at South View High School certainly does,” Smith’s guardian and aunt, Brittany Grant said. “No one seems to think that’s a big deal.”

A spokesperson for Cumberland County Schools sent the following statement:

“School officials responded swiftly to the allegations of inappropriate behavior and contacted law enforcement to lead the investigation. We take all complaints very seriously and respond to them in accordance with our student code of conduct and any applicable laws.”