Content Warning: Some details in this story and in previous linked stories can be initiating and unsettling. Limited details and pictures are included describing a physical attack on a child. Discretion towards sensitive target groups is recommended.

ELIZABETHTON, Tennessee (WJHL) – Elizabethton Police are investigating the alleged attack on a 10-year-old girl by other teenage girls who were her neighbors.

BACK: Elizabethton’s mother seeks justice after her daughter is attacked

In a post shared more than 250,000 times on Facebook, the girl’s mother calls for justice. On Friday, dozens of parishioners responded to these calls by gathering in front of the girl’s house in a wave of support.

The alleged attack occurred on Monday when family members referred to the attack as “torture”. Photos show blood, scratches and a puffy face on the little girl after the mother says she came home from playing with girls she thought were her friends.

Elizabethton Police received a victim statement from the girl at the Children’s Relief Center on Friday.

Police said it was routine to wait a few days for a statement when a child was seriously trauma. Police Chief Jason Shaw says such a delicate case, with so many teenagers involved, takes time. He does not rule out charges, although none have been filed.

“We will bring the relevant charges in due time when we are finished with the investigation,” Shaw said.

Shaw added his department needs to work with the prosecution, child protection services and juvenile courts in moving the case forward. Investigators comb through video and photo evidence posted on social media of the alleged attack. Shaw added that now that they have the child’s testimony, they will proceed to investigate what happened Monday.

“That evidence can be as important or more important than some of the other things,” Shaw said.

The news of the alleged attack on the child made the local community incredulous.

“I was shocked, I was shocked and horrified that this happened in our town,” said parishioner Nichole Bennett.

Many neighbors and community members found out about the incident on social media. Some of the child’s classmates also came to support them on Friday.

“I was sad and angry at the people who did it,” said former classmate Sarah Cox. “I came out because if this happens to me, I want someone to do it for me too.”

“It just shocks me,” said classmate Sydnee Taylor. “And I know my friends probably never would. But it just puts me in a state of shock how someone could do such a thing to a friend. ”

The alleged attack not only put children on alert, but parents too. Many said that this incident reminded them never to be on guard.

“There is danger everywhere, evil is everywhere. I think as a community we have to take care of each other’s children. Not just our own, but everyone else’s, ”said community member Teresa Stucker.

On Friday, the 10-year-old girl and her mother were overwhelmed by the love and support from the group that gathered outside their home.

It is a message that these community members hope the family will hear loud and clear.

“I have faith in our police force, I have faith in our community that we will come together, support them, and make sure justice is done,” said Bennett.

“That was just a horrible thing that I wouldn’t wish for anyone. It’s absolutely sick what these people did to her, ”said Taylor.

The Elizabethton Police Department would like to assure the community that they are taking this case seriously.

“We just want to make sure we’re doing everything right,” said Chief Shaw. “We want to see justice, but unfortunately it takes time.”

Editor’s note: News broadcaster 11 decided not to show the juvenile victim’s face or to publish her name given the nature of the incident. In previous stories, only her mother’s first name was published. The child’s face and name will not be shown in any WJHL News video.