‘Flash mob’ teen apologizes for kicking unconscious boy

A 16-year-old girl who kicked a fellow teenager in the head during a Center City street "flash mob" this year publicly apologized to Philadelphia's residents Monday, telling Family Court Judge Kevin Dougherty that her "thoughtless and reckless behaviors affected not only me, but society."

"I want to switch schools so I can get a better education, get a job to help my mom and be a leader and not a follower," the girl tearfully read aloud from a letter, her voice shaking. "I know I made a mistake but . . . I believe I have started to make positive changes in my life in order to prove with my actions that I am a better person than when I got into this situation."

The teenager, whose grades have improved and who has received academic commendations in recent weeks, earned words of praise from Dougherty, who last month sent her to a juvenile detention center after she pleaded guilty to the assault.

Though the girl had hoped to return home, Dougherty did not release her from custody. He referred her to a less-restrictive residential treatment facility, noting that she is making progress and is headed in the right direction.

"I know you want to go home, and I want you to go home, but you know I'm not letting you," he said. "But you believe and you understand what you did was wrong, and I appreciate that."

The teenager, whom The Inquirer is not identifying because of her age, also will be allowed to visit her grandmother in the hospital, Dougherty said, prompting emotional words of thanks.

"I want to hug you right now," the girl said.

The teenager was one of dozens of young men and woman who rampaged through a Center City neighborhood on Feb. 16, knocking into pedestrians, throwing snowballs and creating mayhem. Police officers saw the girl kick a 15-year-old boy in the head as he lay unconscious and bleeding on the ground, injuries he sustained after a scuffle with another group of teens.

Last month she told Dougherty she kicked the boy because he had punched her in the face earlier that day and knocked her tooth out. Dougherty, who noted that she missed 28 days of school since the start of the school year and was suspended for fighting, called her a "problem child" and warned that her anger issues made her a threat to herself and others.

On Monday, Dougherty learned the girl's teachers have given her a "most improved student" award, and reviewed a recent report card containing A's and B's.

"Look at your grades!" he said. "Fantastic!"

The girl told Dougherty that when she returns home, she will work hard to stay out of trouble.

"I do have goals and will achieve them," she said. "I am not heading down the wrong path."