Three Marian High School football players are facing assault-related charges stemming from alleged bullying incidents that took place late last year.

The victim is a 14-year-old Lehighton boy who was a member of the Marian High School football team in 2014.Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick confirmed Friday that harassment charges were filed in the office of District Justice Stephen Bayer against two Marian students, both minors.A third Marian student, also a minor, will face misdemeanor assault charges in Schuylkill County Juvenile Court.According to the mother of the victim, whose name is being withheld to protect the youth's identity, the boy was a member of football team last year.She said as many as four other team members repeatedly assaulted him physically and even sexually."They had an hour from when school ended (for the day) and when football practice started," she said. "It happened during that time."The boy's mother said the family didn't learn about the assaults until they noticed their son's behavior changing. He was withdrawing, she said.Family members noticed the change in his disposition, as well as marks on his back and became curious."Finally he came foward and said he was beaten in the back with belts and punched in the testicles."The boy described various forms of abuse to his mother that took place mostly in the locker room of the school.The family immediately complained to school officials, said the mother. However, the family feels the wheels of justice have been moving too slowly."I gave the school four days to call police. They didn't call police," said the mother.She said school officials told her the students received failing grades in "conduct.""They said they believe there may have been detention," said the mother, but no expulsion."It's been kept hush-hush," she said. "I feel there's a cover-up. They're not holding these students responsible."When charges became known late Friday, a call was placed to Marian High School but it was after 5 p.m. and a recording indicated that all school offices were closed.The boy's mother said the family removed their son from Marian High School and began homeschooling him."He's damaged. He has anxiety. I don't want this to happen to anyone else," she said.She said he's doing better now that he's been removed from the environment at Marian."He's just starting to make progress now."District Justice Bayer acknowledged that charges were filed in his office regarding the minors and noted the files are sealed.Their names are not being released by authorities.Corporal Adam Sinton is the investigating officer.