MISHAWAKA — A 16-year-old with autism was punched in the face, and someone posted video of the attack on YouTube.

The incident happened in June at Merrifield Park, but the family did not see who was responsible for the attack until the video was posted.

Now the family wants the teen attacker to face charges.

Mishawaka police are now involved but because an investigation is pending, they refused to comment.

The family has plenty to say after their 16-year-old was punched in the face for the cyber-world's amusement.

“I know the kid knows [he] has problems, so I don't know why he would do that,” said Joyce Vermillion, mother of the boy who was hit.

The attack on the autistic teen was caught on camera and placed online for the world to see.

“I was really mad that someone would be that cruel and put it on a computer,” said Vermillion.

“It was absolutely horrible,” added Amber Fairchild, the boy's sister.

Vermilion and Fairchild re-live the horror every time they see the video.

“You can see in the videotape where [he’s] not realizing quite what's going to happen to him because he's standing there and he's smiling,” Vermillion said.

The attack lasted two minutes.

“He wasn't even doing anything,” Fairchild said. “The kid just walked up to him and you see my brother backing up in the video.”

After 30 seconds of talking, the attacker throws the punch, knocking the victim to the ground.

Psychologist Hugh VanAuken said violent incidents posted online appear to be growing in popularity.

“They’re looking for a thrill,” VanAuken said.

Dr. VanAuken believes with advances in technology, bullies get pleasure as people around the world respond to their attacks.

“In the 1980s and 90s, playing video games was fun for kids,” VanAuken said. “Now we have kids seeking their thrills by being aggressive, posting it on the Internet, and showing everyone how cool they are in doing these sorts of things."

While the 16-year-old's attack is no longer on YouTube, his sister captured the video from the site to show police.

“First it was bad enough that they did it. Then they videotaped it. Then they made it into a joke. They did it in slow motion and they replayed it frame by frame," Fairchild said. "It hurts my feelings so bad, it hurts my heart.”

The family says the boy's face was swollen after the attack, but since then he has been doing well.

The video helped the family identify his attacker, who attends the same high school.

Mishawaka police said the police report was filed Tuesday and officers are on the case.