In Leonville, Louisiana, a 37-year-old special education teacher is accused of inflicting life-threatening injuries on his 6-year-old stepson, who is a survivor of pediatric brain cancer. The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance at the family’s home just before 6 a.m. on Sunday. According to officials, deputies found the young boy—identified by relatives as Korbin—bleeding from multiple stab wounds to his face, neck, and chest. He was promptly airlifted to a Baton Rouge hospital, where he has undergone two surgeries and remains in critical condition.
Incident Details and Arrest
Authorities say that when deputies arrived, they discovered not only the six-year-old’s severe injuries but also that the child’s mother had been brutally beaten. Patrick Greene, who taught special education at Sulphur High School, was combative and had to be restrained before officers could place him under arrest. Greene now faces two counts of aggravated assault, child endangerment under domestic abuse battery, a strangulation charge, and resisting an officer. Prosecutors indicate additional charges are forthcoming.
At the time of the attack, six other minor children were present in the home. All six siblings were unharmed and have since been placed under the care of other relatives. Circuit Court Judge Krista Landry ordered Greene to remain jailed without bond after an initial hearing. She also issued protective orders barring him from contacting his wife and the other children.
School District Response
Shortly after Greene’s arrest, the Calcasieu Parish School Board confirmed his employment as a special education instructor but stated he will be placed on administrative leave pending an internal personnel investigation. Sulphur High School’s principal expressed shock, noting that Greene had no previous disciplinary record and was well regarded by both students and colleagues. The district has arranged counseling services for students and staff affected by the news.
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Korbin’s Medical Journey
In 2022, Korbin was treated at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to remove a cancerous brain tumor. After months of chemotherapy and radiation, he was declared cancer-free and returned home to Louisiana. His family members say he had been doing remarkably well—attending kindergarten, playing with friends, and enjoying weekend outings—when this horrific attack occurred. Doctors note that after pediatric brain tumors, children can be more vulnerable to infections and require frequent medical checkups, making Korbin’s rapid recovery from his cancer a hopeful story that now hangs in balance as he heals from this violence.
An Unsettling Pattern: Domestic Violence and Children
While the details of Greene’s motive remain under investigation, domestic violence experts point out that children in homes where one parent abuses the other are at higher risk of also being physically harmed. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, nearly 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year. In cases involving survivors of serious illnesses—like Korbin’s brain cancer—families may already be under significant stress, heightening the potential for conflict.
One social worker commented off the record that early intervention and regular check-ins from neighbors, teachers, or doctors can sometimes interrupt a cycle of escalating violence. “Had someone reported signs of marital or parental distress—perhaps bruising on Mom or statements from the children—this may have been prevented,” the social worker added.
Why Pediatric Brain Cancer Survivors Need Extra Support
Pediatric brain tumors are the second most common childhood cancer after leukemia. Survival rates have improved dramatically in recent decades, but long-term effects—such as difficulties swallowing, speech delays, or seizures—often require ongoing therapies. Korbin’s doctors at St. Jude emphasized that consistent follow-up appointments and a stable home environment are crucial to maintaining his health. After his cancer treatment, he needed physical therapy to rebuild strength and routine MRI scans to monitor for recurrence.
That background makes this alleged stabbing all the more alarming: a child already facing complex medical needs is suddenly forced back into intensive medical care. Neuro-oncologists stress that mental health support is equally vital for young survivors and their families, as the trauma from both a cancer diagnosis and an assault can compound over time.
What Happens Next Legally
Patrick Greene appeared virtually before Judge Landry on Monday afternoon. In addition to the criminal charges, the court’s protective order ensures he cannot have any contact with his wife or any of her children—stepchildren included—until further notice. If convicted of aggravated assault on a child resulting in serious bodily injury, Greene could face decades behind bars under Louisiana law.
Investigators continue to interview family members, neighbors, and friends to piece together what led to Sunday’s violence. A forensic team collected evidence from the home, and detectives are reviewing Greene’s personal devices and social media accounts for potential red flags or indicators of escalating domestic tension.
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FAQs: Understanding This Case and Its Broader Context
Q1: What circumstances allow prosecutors to file aggravated assault charges?
A: In Louisiana, aggravated assault occurs when a person attempts to inflict severe bodily harm using a weapon, or in a manner likely to produce great bodily harm. Because Korbin’s injuries were life-threatening and inflicted with a knife or sharp object, Greene was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.
Q2: Why was Korbin airlifted instead of taken by ambulance?
A: Given the severity of his stab wounds—especially to the neck and chest—the local hospital in Leonville lacked a pediatric trauma surgeon on site. Air transport to a Level I pediatric trauma center in Baton Rouge offered the quickest access to specialized surgical teams.
Q3: How common is it for pediatric cancer survivors to experience additional health crises?
A: While survival rates for childhood brain tumors exceed 70 percent in many cases, these children often face long-term health complications—ranging from endocrine issues to trading chemical sensitivities. Interruptions in follow-up care, whether due to family stress or other emergencies, can increase the risk of medical setbacks.
Q4: Can Greene’s background as a special education teacher influence the legal outcome?
A: A defendant’s profession does not directly affect guilt or sentencing. However, prosecutors may argue that, as an educator trained to safeguard children, Greene had a higher standard of care. The court could consider his professional background as an aggravating factor during sentencing.
Q5: What support is available for Korbin’s family now?
A: Several Louisiana-based nonprofits—such as the St. Landry Parish Children’s Advocacy Center—provide counseling and financial assistance to families affected by violent crime. Additionally, hospital social workers in Baton Rouge are coordinating with the family to secure long-term rehabilitation services for Korbin.
Q6: What will the school district review during its personnel investigation?
A: The Calcasieu Parish School Board’s internal review will examine Greene’s personnel file, any prior complaints or disciplinary notes, and his interactions with colleagues and students. They will also coordinate with law enforcement to ensure no red flags were missed that could have prevented his hiring or his placement in a position of trust.
A Call for Vigilance
Korbin’s ordeal is a sobering reminder that domestic violence can strike anywhere, even in seemingly stable, loving households. As Korbin fights to recover for the second time in his young life—first from a deadly brain tumor, now from horrific physical trauma—experts urge communities to remain vigilant. Neighbors who notice sudden changes in a family member’s behavior, teachers who see bruises on a student, or friends who hear worrisome remarks can all play a role in preventing tragedies before they happen.
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For now, Leonville residents await word on Korbin’s condition and the progress of Greene’s court case. At the same time, advocates stress that better coordination between medical, educational, and social services could help identify at-risk families before violence escalates, especially when vulnerable children—cancer survivors or otherwise—are involved.
