A Stonington mother is asking for answers after she says a week-long string of assaults occurred on her child from another student. Ashley Peden, of Stonington, detailed her daughter's assault incident and the many hurdles her family has gone through over the last year to try to get answers and justice for her and her husband Chad's daughter. Peden says the situation has been a nightmare for her family. 

Chad Peden drove straight to The Christian County Sheriff's Office.  Chad's cousin is the chief of police of Stonington and didn't want there to be a conflict of interest.  At the Sheriff's Office, Ashley and Chad were told the Sheriff's Office wouldn't be able to handle the case because the child's parent worked for the Sheriff's Office. The case was sent to the Illinois State Police. Peden says finding an attorney has been a struggle because of conflict of interest issues.  The Peden's finally found an attorney Ashley says is a godsend. Ashley Peden says her attorney told her the boy admitted to guilt.

Ashley and Chad say they would love immediate justice, but they know that these things take time. A no-contact order is in place and there is a 500-foot measure for the accused child. The Peden's say that the Taylorville school District has asked that Peden's child make sacrifices to help the situation. Peden says she feels that the admin level did not let anyone else know about the situation.

Peden says she is so grateful for the community support. 

Peden thanked the parents of the other kids in the class for not treating her child any differently.  She says it's such a relief because of how much of a concern it was and it hasn't been. As far as a message for other parents who may be or may have to go through something similar.  Chad says it's important to have a plan.

Peden says she will be the voice for those who are too afraid to come forward. She stressed that while she is upset at Durham's she isn't upset at her bus driver who has been spectacular this whole time. The Pedens urge transparency and want justice and answers. Regional Radio News reached out to Durham's and to Taylorville School District.  Durham's was unavailable for comment, and the School District is sticking with a statement they released last week. Peden says she is slated to meet with members of the School District on Friday.   

To hear the whole full 40-minute interview with Ashley and Chad see below.