Real Life “The Glory” — Chinese Teenagers Were Laughing While They Disfigured Their Classmate

Summary

In 2015, Chamilia was kidnapped and brutally beaten by classmates at Oxford High School, a private institution in Los Angeles. The attackers, including ringleader Helen, subjected Chamilia to hours of torture, cutting her hair, burning her with cigarettes, and forcing her to eat it. The incident exposed the unsupervised, affluent 'parachute kids' culture, where international students live without parental guidance. Helen's nonchalant attitude during the trial and the parents' attempts to bribe the victim highlighted the lack of accountability. Helen was sentenced to 13 years, with others receiving lesser terms, sparking debate on the severity of the punishment.

Takeaways

• 🚨 A 911 call was placed by Chamilia, who claimed to have been kidnapped and beaten for 5 hours by her classmates.
• 🏠 Chamilia's physical condition was shocking, with her body covered in bruises, burn marks, and swollen to the point of immobility.
• 🏫 The incident occurred at Oxford High School, a private school in Los Angeles known for serving middle-upper class families, mostly from Asian backgrounds.
• 🌐 The school's students, often without parental supervision, live in 'homestays', which can lead to a lack of guidance and structure.
• 🪂 The term 'parachute kids' is used to describe students who are sent to a new country with minimal support, relying on their own resilience.
• 👑 Helen, a wealthy student with a Maserati, was seen as the 'Queen Bee' and used Chamilia as a common enemy to maintain her power among her peers.
• 📅 Chamilia was lured to a meeting under false pretenses, which led to her being kidnapped and tortured by Helen and her group.
• 🥶 The torture included physical beatings, being forced to clean ice cream from the ground, and having her wet clothes removed in a cold park.
• 🔥 Coco, one of Helen's accomplices, burned Chamilia with cigarettes and later participated in cutting off her hair.
• 🗣️ Helen's court statement showed a lack of remorse, focusing on her own life and studies rather than the harm she caused.
• ⚖️ The legal consequences were severe, with Helen sentenced to 13 years, Koko to 10 years, and another participant to 6 years in prison.

Q & A

What was the date of the incident involving Chamilia?

The incident involving Chamilia occurred on March 30th, 2015.

How did Chamilia's physical condition appear after the assault?

Chamilia's hair was extremely choppy, her entire body and face were covered in bruises, she had burn marks all over her body, and her hands and feet were so swollen she couldn't stand. She also appeared damp as if she had been out of the lake.

What was the term used to describe the situation at Oxford High School?

The term used to describe the situation at Oxford High School was 'Lord of The Flies' situation, indicating a group of high school kids creating their own subculture and hunting other kids like animals.

What is the role of homestays in the international student experience?

Homestays are a significant part of the international student experience, where families in America host international students on a student visa, providing them with room, board, and supervision in exchange for payment from the students' families.

Why are international students often referred to as 'parachute kids'?

International students are referred to as 'parachute kids' because they are sent to a new country by their parents with the expectation that they will land correctly and adapt on their own, often without parental supervision.

What was Helen's role in the group of students at Oxford High School?

Helen was described as the 'Queen Bee' of the school, one of the richer students who had a Maserati and often drove a BMW. She was seen as the leader of the group that bullied Chamilia.

How did Chamilia end up in the situation where she was assaulted by Helen and her group?

Chamilia received a text message to meet at an ice cream shop, which she believed was from a girl named Lou. Upon arrival, she found Helen and her boyfriend John there, and was subsequently kidnapped and taken to a park where the assault took place.

What was the extent of the physical abuse Chamilia endured during the incident?

Chamilia was beaten, had ice cream smeared on her, was forced to clean it up with her hands, had her phone smashed, was kicked, had her clothes forcibly removed, was doused in cold water, and had cigarettes burned on her chest and nipples.

What was Helen's attitude like during her court appearance?

Helen appeared bored and arrogant during her court appearance, smirking and giggling, and did not seem to take the proceedings seriously.

What was the outcome of the trial for Helen and her accomplices?

Helen was sentenced to 13 years in prison for kidnapping, assault, and serious personal injury, with the possibility of release in 8 years for good behavior. Koko was sentenced to 10 years but can get out in 5 years, and JN was sentenced to 6 years but can get out in 3 years.

What was the reaction of Helen and her group when their verdicts were read?

The first time the court saw any emotion other than giggly cockiness was when their verdicts were read, at which point they sobbed so hard their whole bodies were shaking.