Girl With Special Needs 'Felt She Was Among Friends:' Chicago PD

CHICAGO — Chicago police are investigating a video that appears to show a teenage girl with special needs being beaten by a mob of people, and three juvenile girls were arrested in connection with the crime on Thursday. Chicago Police Spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said an investigation was opened after the disturbing footage was shared on Twitter Tuesday — several days after the victim had been reported missing.

"This is beyond disturbing to watch and this young girl deserves far better," Guglielmi wrote. "This clip has been forwarded to the Chicago Police Special Victims Unit and a criminal investigation has been opened."

Late Thursday morning, Guglielmi said three girls — ages 13, 14 and 15 — were arrested in the "upsetting assault." Charges against the teens included aggravated battery and mob action.

At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said the attack came after the teen girl was led to believe her assailants were her friends.

"She felt she was among friends," Johnson said. "I've got to tell you, it breaks my heart to see these young people turn on her."

Johnson and Lt. Ozzie Valdez thanked community activists, local media and residents for sounding the alarm after the video surfaced.

Valdez said the teen was reported missing July 18. Police believe the attack happened July 22, and the viral video surfaced a day later.

The missing teen was found on the CTA by a "vigilant citizen" who had seen the attack video online, Valdez said.

"I'm also a father of two, and these are the types of cases that keep you up at night," Valdez said. The teen was taken to Comer Children's Hospital for her injuries.

Two of the juveniles are charged with aggravated battery, and a third is charged with mob action.

During a press conference Wednesday, police said the girl may also have been sexually assaulted in a separate, off-camera incident. On Thursday, Johnson declined to comment, saying, "We're not prepared to talk about that at this time."

The beating video was tweeted by someone claiming to be a friend of the victim who said the teen girl has a mental disability and was "jumped" by a crowd of people. "I know this won’t blow up since I’m a small account but please, share and rt! I want justice for my friend, she didn’t deserve any of this," the Twitter user posted.

The video shows several people punching and hitting the girl, who turns away and attempts to shield herself from the blows.

The incident is yet another crime captured on video and posted to social media in Chicago.

"If you're dumb enough to post a crime on social media, then you're just showing where your head is," Johnson said.

Bail Denied In Facebook Live Torture Case: 'Where Is Your Sense Of Decency?'

The beating video surfaced more than two years after four people were arrested in connection with the torture of an 18-year-old man who has mental disabilities. That crime came to light after it was streamed on Facebook Live. In the video clip, the assailants torment the man, binding him with duct tape, beating him, cutting off his clothes and repeatedly calling him "Donald Trump."

The man believed to be the ringleader in the Facebook Live torture case was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2018.