A Youngstown State University student turned up at a local hospital last week severely beaten, and Youngstown police are saying the victim's family believes it may be a case of fraternity hazing.
YSU officials said this incident did not happen on campus, but the university's police department is assisting Youngstown police with the investigation.
A friend drove ReSean Yancey, 20, to St. Elizabeth Health Center on Feb. 1. The friend called Yancey's mom, and she heard her son having a hard time breathing in the background.
Police got involved the next day because Yancey had injuries, including a concussion and severe bruising all over his body. His mother told investigators she thinks this is all the result of some sort of hazing, saying she and other family members noticed different behavior including his appearance, going out late at night and talking about his body hurting.
Yancey has since been released from the hospital.
Police are not commenting on the issue at this time. When contacted by phone,Yancey's mother declined to go into any detail, but said she may talk more in the coming days.
Many students learned of the incident through the campus newspaper and at least one student group is looking to take action.
"And we were just wanting, just throwing around ideas out there seeing if we wanted to hold a panel discussion on self-esteem and violence in general to address some of the issues and questions that maybe new and transfer students might have," said student Adrian Watson, a member of the Premier Poets Guild.
YSU spokesman Ron Cole said the incident did not happen on campus and all parties are investigating the mother's claims of hazing. He said that if it is determined to be a case of hazing, the suspects will be dealt with accordingly.
