
HIGH POINT, N.C. — FOX8 obtained the arrest warrant of the suspect accused of rape at High Point Central High School this week.
The warrant says Tavio De’Shawn Whitehead, 17, attacked a 14-year-old girl causing a hematoma to the victim’s forehead, hemorrhage to the right eye, a bloody nose and abrasion to the left side of the neck by strangulation.
It says Whitehead put his “hands around the victim’s neck until the juvenile couldn’t breathe or scream for help.”
The documents also say the defendant’s family “has been posting on social media to contact the victim. Defendant has been posting about the arrest and case while under arrest.” It does not explain how.
The magistrate in the case issued a $500,000 secured bond and wrote on the order, “Defendant may not use third parties to pass message or harass victim or victim’s family, may not enter or remain at victim or victim’s house, school, or place of employment.”
The order says officials asked for a secured bond because “the defendant poses a danger of injury to another person or persons,” and is “likely to destroy evidence, suborn perjury, or intimidate a witness or witnesses.”
A police report obtained by FOX8 on Friday afternoon confirmed that Whitehead is a student at High Point Central High School.
A spokesperson for Winston Salem Forsyth County Schools confirmed Whitehead attended Carver High School until Dec. 1, 2014, when he withdrew to attend a different school district.
Family Service of the Piedmont receives more than 3,000 calls each year to their crisis line for domestic violence and sexual assault.
Director of Victim Services Shay Harger hopes the victim in this case and any other students traumatized by this attack get the help they need.
“I want them to have support. I want them to know there are resources, there are places to reach out to. To us, to a therapist, to a hospital, a counselor, a doctor,” Harger explained. “Unfortunately, it is a long road. But we want to make sure that support is there and you can reach out and get that non-judgemental support.”
Harger added, “Prosecution is one step of it, but really the healing comes within inside. So to be able to find that support system that can guide you through the whole process.”
Family Service of the Piedmont offers a 24-hour crisis line at (336) 889-7273. They have offices throughout the Piedmont and offer services such as counseling. Visit safeandhealthyfamilies.com for more information.