Teacher That Knocked 12 Year Old Unconscious Still Not Arrested

At first I was somewhat skeptical of what was being alleged by the young man and his mother, but considering the teacher (or assistant teacher, or coach or whatever) was fired on the spot and escorted off school grounds it would seem he did in fact act out of line. Not to say that punching a 12 year old isn't just about ALWAYS out of line.

Apparently the whole thing started when the kid made a joke about the teacher (or whatevers) favorite football team. The guy then hit him on the shoulder and the young man pushed him before getting punched in the face. Now at first I was thinking maybe the teach gave him a friendly shoulder punch and the kid used that as an excuse to assault, but even if that were the case I don't think punching a child half your size is justifiable.

Reginald's mother Adrianne says she was briefed by the principal about what happened, based on what another teacher says he saw.

"(The principal) said Reginald was punched, in the shoulder, and then hit two times and uppercut, and then slid across the floor," Adrianne said. "It weighed heavy on my heart, because I've never put my hands on my son."

Adrianne says the teacher was escorted off the premises and fired on the spot, but before that, Reginald says the teacher said something to him.

"He said 'I can't apologize for what I did, I was just having a bad day and I just snapped.'"

Adrianne says she cannot believe the teacher was not arrested.

So right off the bat, shouldn't the other teacher have called 911? I realize in many cases there are rules about doing so, but come on... If the guy was indeed escorted off grounds and fired on the spot shouldn't the person who made that call have made another to the police?

Shouldn't police have taken the man into custody after the mother complained? It should be pretty clear whether or not the incident happened at school, the boy has a bloody puffed up lip and there were witnesses. Really unless the teacher was trying to break up a fight between students or defending himself from harm (remember the kid isn't even 5 ft. and weighs 80 lbs.) I can't see any justification. I think at some point we've all wanted to backhand a smartass youngster, but to actually punch someone or hit them hard enough to leave them unconscious seems...

So guys and gals, what do you think the appropriate response would be if we assume (and I know we shouldn't but let's pretend) the allegations are true? Even if the kid walked up and kicked the guy squaawr in the jimmies, I would want him arrested for punching the kid. Kid should get in trouble too if he initiated, but adults need to be adult.

Link

reply to post by Domo1


The difference between just punching the **** out of the kid and knocking him unconscious would ordinarily be the difference between a simple (misdemeanor) assault and aggravated (felony) assault. But the fact that the victim is a minor—I'm pretty certain—makes any assault a felony. That a police department would ignore the wishes of a person to file felony assault charges, especially given the number of witnesses, is absolutely baffling to me. In fact, I believe it's actually the lawful duty of the police department to file charges regardless of the disposition of the victim or parent.

I'm truly baffled at this. I'd be curious to follow this to its outcome....

this guy is an adult and should be able to exercise restraint...punching a 12 year old kid ...not on.....if that was my 12 year old that was hit i would be giving that teacher a serious butt whoopin

reply to post by Domo1


Just because the teacher was fired and escorted off of school grounds does not mean he did anything illegal.
Many districts have a no tolerance policy on violence.
Look at all of the kids who get suspended and expelled that never see cuffs.

It's probably a football coach. They are as Gods.

If anyone lays a finger on my child in anger it will result in a very unhappy ending for that person

I don't care how out of line my child was

You punch my child and you will be using crutches for a long long time

that sucks for the kid.

i would have went for the throat. 1 handed lift and squeeze.

the class would be pretty docile, after that.

that's why i am not a teacher.

If I was the mum I would shut up while i was ahead.

In the telling of 'the story' she has to admit that the child pushed the teacher.

Beginning to look like six of one and half a dozen of the other, despite the greater force being used by the teacher but then.....he was pushed and was bigger.

Is it wise to get the police involved? One suspects, NO!

reply to post by Domo1



This is what passes for journalism these days?

Let's take a 12 year old's word on what happened?

That article is complete garbage. Explains nothing.

thegoatboy
If anyone lays a finger on my child in anger it will result in a very unhappy ending for that person

I don't care how out of line my child was

You punch my child and you will be using crutches for a long long time

I agree, if someone hit my little girl, or an adult ever does, they will be wearing orthopedic clothes for the rest of their life..

reply to post by Domo1


If the story proves to be true, than the ex-teacher/assistant coach needs to be arrested and charged with felony assualt on a minor. Even if provoked the outcome would is still the same. The adult committed a crime.

nightstalker78
reply to post by Domo1

 

This is what passes for journalism these days?

Let's take a 12 year old's word on what happened?

That article is complete garbage. Explains nothing.

Actually, if you read the entire article, another teacher was a primary witness and that teacher's story is why the alleged perpetrator was fired on the spot and escorted off school property.

In this particular case the child is small, I think it said 4'11" and 80 pounds so I'm pretty much horrified. This particular teacher who basically admitted he went nuts should definitely be arrested.

However if he had been one of our new super giant kids I don't know if I would be. Just for instance a friend of mines 12yo boy is 6'3" and 190+ pounds. He is HUGE. And I have seen many like him size wise.

Add lack of discipline, general immaturity and aggressive behavior due to changing hormones in puberty and it equals a potential for serious harm to be done by a kid at times. Obviously this isn't the case here, but I just wanted to point out that with our super-size kids now adays that we as adults need to be able to defend ourselves too despite the attackers age.

I've also been around too many kids who think nothing of just beating the crap out of whoever they feel like (especially if they are in a "pack") because their parents never learned how to say NO, to just always say "Oh it's the adults fault the kid is only 12 years old!"


Lil

There was a time when giving attitude to a teacher like the Walking Durex Advert did in this incident would result in a caning.

Such a shame those days have gone. Kids are out of control with no concept of authority or respect.

reply to post by Domo1


Well Domo, it seems teachers hold a very special and nearly unique place in our Society. They don't define the law, but act above and outside it as often as not. They enforce it as well, by proxy if nothing else, in that they call cops in to arrest mere children for silly crap that wouldn't have warranted a suspension, much less a criminal record in years past.

However, when THEY violate laws which would have any mere mortal in handcuffs and in route to a meeting with a Judge for arraignment, they get suspended with pay or...if they really hurt or injured someone, maybe even fired. (gasp) imagine that.. actually fired..and look what it takes for even THAT to happen??

The guy ought to be arrested, booked and charged with the maximum allowable for violent assault against a child. The SAME as any other adult would get for hauling off and decking a kid not yet into their teens ...for nothing more than a 'personal moment' of snapping, as the idiot tries to explain.

....In reality, I'm sure being fired will be all that happens, and yet again, we're reminded that American law and justice operates with VERY distinct levels to it, and all are absolutely NOT treated equally, by any stretch.

Act1Scene1
There was a time when giving attitude to a teacher like the Walking Durex Advert did in this incident would result in a caning.

Such a shame those days have gone. Kids are out of control with no concept of authority or respect.

edit on 15-11-2013 by Act1Scene1 because: (no reason given)

Kids watch things like this and much worse to see, there is no consequence to action. It's talked about plenty, but in reality? Consequences are rare in the form they are threatened and when they do actually happen? There are a dozen ways to mitigate or excuse almost anything done.

Kids are smart. They learn from this and things like it. They learn TOO well ..and we get a world with no respect for much of anything, anymore ...and we get it in record time.

I'm not shocked at all by why the fight started....Why the hell do people get so worked up about sports to the point of arguments and fights? I like football, my team is the Vikings, I get alot of slack from people trying to piss me off, especially this year lol. I don't give two s**ts if you don't like 'em or you think they suck. I watch the game, they win they win, they lose they lose, its not gonna ruin my day, its just a game/entertainment. But some people I work with, all they do is argue about football, throwing out players name, stats from 2 to 3 years ago, to the point they call in sick or don't show up to work if their team loses, and ends friendships. Funny how some of these people can't remember their family members birthdays or anniversaries but can remembers a players stats from 5,6 years ago. I am shocked that the teacher wasn't arrested though.

I would think that all the mother would have to do file assault charges against the teacher.

That's ridiculous! No teacher should ever hit a child, let alone knock them out. That is above and beyond any kind of rational behavior, especially over a joke about a football team.
I would also have some serious issues if this were my child and would be pressing charges, among other things. Even if he doesn't serve time, at least he is no longer around these kids every day.

Here is a link to an update on this story.

The accused assistant math teacher is 24-year-old Michael Fisher. The police are pursuing charges of "injury to a child", and also state he is cooperating, remorseful, and sad.