According to the lawsuit, the 5-year-old suffered a thighbone fracture after another child assaulted them.

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Scouting America and Erie Shores Council were named in a lawsuit after a 5-year-old was seriously injured in an alleged assault that took place at a Bowling Green Cub Scout meeting last year. 

According to a press release from Boyk Law, which filed the suit in Lucas County Common Pleas Court on Feb. 27, the child was attending a Cub Scout meeting with Pack 422 on Dec. 4, 2025 when the supervising pack leader “stepped outside during the meeting to vape.” The lawsuit claims an older scout then punched the child in the head, kicked him in the stomach and stomped on his leg. This resulted in a serious thighbone fracture requiring emergency surgery with possible long-term effects, the suit said. 

The civil lawsuit named Scouting America, Erie Shores Council, and one of the supervisors, as well as the juvenile accused of assaulting the victim and their parents as plaintiffs. In the complaint, attorneys said the accused assailant is older and more physically developed than the 5-year-old victim. Additionally, the juvenile accused in the assault allegedly has a history of attacking the victim. 

Attorneys claim the meeting attendees are usually separated by age, but were not in this instance. They argue the amount of supervision was inadequate, and also named as a defendant the supervisor who stepped outside to vape. According to the lawsuit, this left only two other registered leaders in the room to supervise all of Pack 22. The suit alleges this allowed the assault to happen. 

The victim’s parents are seeking $25,000 in damages, as well as attorney fees. 

WTOL 11 reached out to Erie Shores Council of Scouting America, of which Pack 422 is a part. They provided the following statement:

“We want to express our sincere concern and sympathy for the Cub Scout and his family. The safety and well-being of every young person in our programs is our highest priority. Council leadership has been in direct and ongoing communication with the family to check on the Scout’s condition and to offer assistance. We have worked closely with them to help guide the insurance process and ensure they had the information and support they needed.

Because this matter is now in litigation, we are limited in what we can share publicly. However, we remain focused on supporting the youth involved, their family, and our volunteers. We work every day to provide a safe and positive Scouting experience for all participants.”

Additionally, WTOL 11 reached out to Bowling Green police to learn if a police report had been filed following the incident, but did not immediately hear back.Â