Boy, stabbed while protecting sister in fight, speaks out

FRANKFORD (WPVI) -- One day after a 12-year-old boy was stabbed while trying to protect his sister, the siblings and their dad spoke out to Action News.

"How do I tell my son it's okay when it's not? He doesn't feel safe," said Floyd Devine.

Devine got the call Thursday that his 12-year-old son was stabbed.

The incident was reported just before 4:00 p.m. Thursday at Mcilvain Park along Pratt and Saul streets.

The boy was protecting his sister from a group of girls who tried to attack her on the sidewalk

The siblings were leaving Zeigler Elementary School and were on their way to their grandmother's house.

Both children spoke to Action News but we were asked not to give their identities.

"I thought it was s dream. I was scared, like, 'Am I really getting jumped?' said the sister.

"They were punching me. I did know they had a knife but I forgot then they stabbed me. I thought they punched me and I looked at it and saw the knife," said the brother.

About 25-50 children, mostly girls, surrounded them.

It appears that the attackers mistook the sister for someone else.

But without hesitation the girl's brother knew what he had to do.

"To protect my sister," he said.

Only Action News was there when police arrived to bag potential evidence.

Frustrated after hearing that no weapon was recovered, Devine went to the park and found a knife in two pieces.

The blade was near the pool of blood left behind by his son and the handles was by a tree.

He called police but it's unclear if that was the weapon used.

Devine says he is proud of his son who is now home recovering.

He says his children love school and aren't used to violence like this.

"At this point, we're just trying to do what we can do to make my children feel better. My daughter doesn't want to go to school no more; my son doesn't want to go no more," said Devine.

Police have not yet made any arrests in the case.

There were no surveillance cameras at the part and police are asking for witnesses to come forward.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia Police Northeast Detectives at 215-686-3150.