Text Messages Led To Brutal Beating of Teenage Girl, Say Cops

By: Kealan Oliver
Topics: Daily Blotter

Josie Lou Ratley (Credit: WFOR)

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (CBS/AP) A 15-year-old Florida girl was left in critical condition after a teen boy allegedly punched her and stomped on her with his steel-toed boots.

Josie Lou Ratley, a student at a Florida middle school, was airlifted to Broward General Medical Center after 15-year-old Wayne Treacy allegedly beat her relentlessly on Wednesday. The attack was apparently triggered by a text message dispute between Ratley and the suspect.

Wayne Treacy (Credit: WFOR)

A 13-year-old girl, who appears to be in a relationship with Treacy, was arrested as an accessory to the brutal beating. Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti said the girl "knew he was going to do this, did nothing to stop him and, in fact, directed him to Josie, the victim, and pointed her out."

Lamberti said that the victim objected to the boy's relationship with the 13-year-old and said so during an exchange of text messages with him.

"Those messages went back and forth and one of the messages was a comment regarding the suicide of his brother. That's apparently what set him off," Lamberti said.

Authorities said Treacy rode his bike to the middle school and got the 13-year-old to help him find Ratley. A teacher had to pull Treacy off of Ratley.

Defense attorney Betsy Benson, who's representing the suspect, said his brother's suicide played a role in the incident.

"I think that what we are going to find out is that the impact of this had a lot to do with this situation," she said.

Treacy is currently being held at a juvenile detention center while prosecutors determine whether to charge him as an adult. He is charged with premeditated attempted murder. His court date is March 26.

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by Azmom24 October 7, 2011 12:55 PM EDT: The mother of this boy was just on The Early Show, and my heart goes out to her, as well as the parents of the young girl, however...
This young man has been through hell, with the loss of his brother, and this young girl, while facing the horrific consequences of a this beating, did send text messages, referring to this young boys brother. Bullying, is horribly tramatic, and while a child may not react at first, eventually, these kids do snap...
My daughter has dealt w/ bullies, and when there are no actions taken by the school, I have told the school, that eventually, when she has had enough, and she defends herself, I am not going to feel badly. I would never want my daughter to use physical violence, but sometimes in life, these kids can only walk away so many times.
Again, my heart goes out to all involved, hopefully other teens will hear this story, and realize the actions they take.; Reply to this comment


by lailiana September 13, 2010 11:06 PM EDT: i do not care about whatever was said in the text and obviously that boy's gf is an ******* and a scary little B*t*h. the girl is now mightly bursed inside and out she can not do the things she used to do anymore just because of some boy that cant control his emotion
one question did his bro come back after damaging the girl that way but i still do believe the girl deserved to be confronted but not beaten up as bad as she did now the boy look like the bad guy and i think that gives him time to think of what he did -.-; Reply to this comment

by SinDelleMorte September 13, 2010 8:47 PM EDT

Is anybody else noticing they are NOT posting what she said? I see both sides here. I feel for her family very deeply. This is a really terrible thing. But I also understand that this boy lost his brother to suicide AND was the one who found him, hanging from a tree not long before this. That would screw ANYBODY up, especially a kid.

I'm not saying it's right. I'm saying he is a kid, too. Don't forget that.

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by lailiana September 13, 2010 11:09 PM EDT: and so is she...she lost her memory and everything she had to start from the begining and relearn everything...how would you feel if you were the mother :|


by NEWTRUTH September 14, 2010 6:46 AM EDT: @lailiana....maybe she will learn better manners this time


by xtremeopinion September 13, 2010 3:38 PM EDT: Okay, so who said, u can't just say or do what you want and there be no consequences. The consequence for his action should be some kind of mandatory lock up. Imagine if we all beat the crap out of people, to the point of killing or almost killing that person just beacuse they were mean. If it was a text that set him off, then it should of been handled by him taking it to his parents and then they talking to her parents. That would of been ideal, but not what happens. This is the problem of the world today, we don't teach our youngsters to have respect for anyone but yet teach them to demand it from everyone. I pray for the family of the young lady and her as well as that of the young man and him. They all need prayer at this time.; Reply to this comment


by Throatyogurt13 September 13, 2010 9:45 AM EDT: Hey; SAYWHATAGAIN. You must be a frined of his! And, this is still America, and I can say whatever I want without fear of reprisals. It is obvious his borther had alot of emotional problems that led to his suicide. This GIRL, that HE beat... Let me repeat that... This GIRL that HEEEE beat!!!! had to under go surgery to put her brain back together. He's a real loser and he will get what's coming to him in prison! He probably likes to beat up on the weak, he will be the weak on in prison, guaranteed.; Reply to this comment


by SayWhatAgain June 20, 2010 2:35 AM EDT: People like to say vicious things and then be like "Hey - violence isn't the answer!" Well, I bet no one will be making fun of his brothers suicide anymore.

You can't just do say what you want and think there are no consequences.; Reply to this comment


by jenniferfry5 June 11, 2010 10:18 AM EDT: This horrible monster needs to be put behind bars for the rest of - whatever life he claims to have. This goes for everyone who thinks this behavior is okay. The USA is one sick country.; Reply to this comment


by cblgalpdx June 11, 2010 9:06 AM EDT: I have been reading through these comments and it's kinda scary to see how many people think that boy had every right to do what he did because of a text message. Does anyone remember the saying "sticks and stones" I don't care what this young girl said, we all say things at one time or another. But, he brutally beat her and he needs to accept responsibility and so does his little "sailor talking" girlfriend. She's quite the piece of work herself. I don't feel sorry at all for either one of them. They are both old enough to know what they did. I think the problem with our society is that no one ever accepts responsibility and the "bleeding hearts" seem to have more sympathy for this "monster" of a 15 year old than they do for the victim. People have bad things happen to them in their lives but taking it out on others is wrong. I am sorry for his family that his brother commited suicide but I can't let that be an excuse for his wrong doing. He is plenty old enough to know right from wrong. I wonder what these bleeding hearts think his punishment should be... a day at the spa or maybe even Disneyland. Wake up people! This is exactly why these kids are the way they are.; Reply to this comment


by crackerjack1014 June 5, 2010 7:29 PM EDT: omg your a sub teacher with you mouth! ughh and you want him to taste your steel boot! omg whats wrong with you? this young man clearly is greiving with no help with his emotions. what he did is clearly wrong and I hope the girl recovers and they forgive one another. you sound alittle hot tempered yourself there teach!; Reply to this comment