(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., AP) — A Missouri lawmaker has criticized a suburban Kansas City school district after a student with Asperger’s syndrome was beaten so severely that he was hospitalized.

State Sen. Eric Schmitt said Thursday that the school’s handling of the Feb. 19 attack on 12-year-old Blake Kitchen of Liberty was “inexcusable.” The boy spent four days at Children’s Mercy Hospital and was released Monday, said Jessica Salazar, a spokeswoman for the hospital. Blake’s mother said the boy suffered a cracked skull, a fractured jaw and damage to his ear that may require surgery.

“No kid should have to worry about those things when they’re trying to learn,” said Schmitt, in an interview with The Associated Press, one day after speaking on the floor of the state Senate. “It’s a huge distraction, and it’s not good for anybody.”

Liberty school district superintendent Jeremy Tucker said Thursday that the situation was under investigation and that the district was cooperating with law enforcement. He noted that the district has policies addressing hazing, bullying and student discipline.

“Certainly if there is something to be learned that we can improve upon from policies and procedures, we will certainly look to do that as we go through the investigation,” Tucker said.

Blake has Asperger’s syndrome, a mild form of autism, and likes to sit at the same spot each day in the Liberty Middle School cafeteria. His parents said that turned troublesome last week, when a boy moved Blake’s belongings from his seat. When Blake asked the boy to move, another boy began hitting him until he blacked out.

Liberty police Capt. Andy Hedrick said an arrest was made after an assault was reported at Liberty Middle School. Janet Rogers, acting juvenile officer in Liberty, said a juvenile assault charge was filed last week. Neither Hedrick nor Rogers could provide additional details.

Blake’s parents told WDAF-TV that they sent a letter to the school’s principal about a month ago complaining about the same boy bullying Blake’s older brother. The boy’s parents told The Associated Press on Thursday that they didn’t have any time to talk further.

Tucker said he couldn’t confirm that a letter had been received or provide other specifics, citing student privacy laws.

Schmitt, a Glendale Republican, said the situation struck a chord with him. His 10-year-old, nonverbal son Stephen is on the autism spectrum and watched his father on the sidelines of the Senate floor during a visit to the Capitol on Thursday.

“These kids who are vulnerable are not being protected,” Schmitt said. He called it “heartbreaking.”

Schmitt also said he plans to take the lead in ushering an anti-bullying bill through the state Senate. It would prohibit bullying, including cyberbullying, on school property and would mandate written school policies to include requirements for reporting abuse.

“They failed you because they didn’t listen,” Schmitt said of the school during a speech on the Senate floor Wednesday. “But Blake, your story has made me realize, and my colleagues hopefully realize, that there are far too many children afraid to go to school.”

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Hollingsworth reported from Kansas City.

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Information from: WDAF-TV, http://www.wdaftv4.com