A case in which a pregnant Collins Elementary School teacher was struck in the stomach as two students scuffled is being investigated for potential criminal charges.
School safety Lt. Richard Roundtree confirmed his department's investigation Monday, saying that because a teacher was injured, school safety needs to determine whether charges are warranted. He said the investigation started last week after the department got word of the incident on Jan. 25 from a Chronicle reporter. The fight occurred Jan. 20.
"Any time a student or a faculty member suffers any type of injury we should respond and take a look into the case and see how far it should go," Roundtree said Monday.
School system officials say the fight occurred between two male special needs students, ages 12 and 13.
Officials said the teacher tried to intervene and wa struck once in the arm and once in the stomach. School system spokesman Louis Svehla has said the teacher, whose name hasn't been released, was examined by a school nurse and instructed to see her physician.
Svehla, Roundtree and Collins Elementary's principal, Thomas Norris, have declined comment on the condition of the baby, citing the teacher's medical confidentiality.
The teacher, who isn't a special needs instructor, has returned to class, Svehla has said.
Initially, the school safety office wasn't called in by the principal, who said he reported the case to the school system's central office. School safety officers are based at middle and high schools, officials say, so the decision to call in a safety officer on the elementary level is up to the principal.
"Everything was reported to the board as per policy," Norris said Friday when asked about the case. "There was nothing hidden from anyone."
Roundtree said he's not faulting anyone, but he said as a general rule his department does prefer to be called in immediately when a school fight results in injury to a student or teacher so it can determine whether it's a criminal case.
Norris said Friday that if a fight results in an injury that's bad enough to warrant an officer, he would request one.
Roundtree said his office can investigate a case after the fact, adding that criminal charges can be filed against a student 13 or older.
He said that after an investigation, his office decides whether to file criminal charges with the county's juvenile court, which then decides whether the charges should stick.
Norris has said the two students are awaiting a tribunal, but he refused to say whether they've been suspended.
Svehla has said the tribunal is scheduled today.
Because the outcome can be appealed for up to 10 days, he said, the results can't be released until after that.
Not to condone the boys fighting but why in heaven's name did that teacher put herself in danger by trying to intervene???
She put herself in harm's way because at the elementary level, there is no other disciplinary option. There was a time when every child knew the location of ALTO Prison. There were no crybaby tribunals. You committed a crime you were treated as a criminal. Since we were forbidden from violating the civil rights of criminals. Criminals rule. History does not lie. No one can get an education in the midst of chaos.
Are you getting your marching orders from convicted felon Charles Walker?
My son heard on the radio that the teacher lost her baby because of her injuries.
pattym35
pattym35
Tuesday, Feb. 2 7:44 AM
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Not to condone the boys fighting but why in heaven's name did that teacher put herself in danger by trying to intervene???....Why should a teacher be afraid o 12 and 13 year old students any time? We need to get the "special needs" kids into an environment where they do not disturb normal school classes. I realize this is one of those federal social programs that won't get reversed, but kick these tow out and pur them in alternative school.
deekster - There was a time teachers and administrators were allowed to discipline kids AND they were disciplined again at home. Yes, parents and teachers worked together for the benefit of the children and rare was the child who would even think about what is common among kids today.
Each one of my teachers had a favorite paddle. I experienced a few. There has to be a balance of corporal punishment and what we have now. On the flip side of that, I can remember that when I pondered my 'bad deed', I never cared what would happen to me as far as punishment. I would say to myself "what's the worst that they can do to me". Folks, it isn't just kids not caring about the repercussions of their actions, there is just NO FEAR left in the world anymore.
Why is it taken so long to file charges? Just another case of PC. When are the officials in charge of our schools going to take their head out of places the sun doesn't shine and take appropriate action. If they don't, then just live with it and quit crying!
I'm not trying to be mean but it's her fault that she got hit, she knew she was pregnant when she tried to stop the fight, so she brought that on herself.
The teacher should be charged with child endangerment for putting her unborn child in harms way. Jump into a fight, expect to get hit...common sense.
Jamie8706 you ought to be ashamed of yourself saying that it was her fault. What do you want to be done when it is your child being assaulted on by another child. It is the teacher's responsibility to intervene. I've worked with patients in past and we have to intervene before anyone get hurt or worse. If my child was fighting or being assaulted I want the staff to intervene and stop it quickly.
just allow the teacher to sue the pants off the kid's parents and all of a sudden there will be discipline in the schools.
I wonder how all of you would feel if it were your child being savagely beaten. Fistfights aren't always minor. A 13 year old hit a pregnant woman SO HARD that her baby died. A lot of you are using your own personal reference as to fistfights. There are some really, really vicious kids going to schools today. It is obscene to think that a teacher should be afraid of elementary schoolchildren.
This case will be very interesting from a legal standpoint...at the end of the day, I think the child will probably be tried as an adult for involuntary manslaughter. But it depends on the COD-cause of death and the MOD-manner of death which cannot be released right now pursuant to HIPPA Regulations.
Having thirteen year old kids at an elementary school is asking for trouble.
criminal charges, along with civil charges should be filed lock up the child and financially ruin the parents...even if very little if any money can be obtained this will serve as a deterrent..my heart goes out to the teacher...she was just doing her job(for all you selfish and insensitive people who are blaming the teacher)
13 years old in elementary school?!?!?!?!?!?!?!??!, i guess it would be safe to say this kid isn't on his way to the ivy league or oxford university...these are the exact type of students scarce educational resources are wasted on, in an attempt to educate...he should have been expelled, there is no way a thirteen year old child should be in elementary school except in rare cases, and flunking classes isn't one of them...now a fetus may be deceased thru no fault of it's own or it's mom. and the offenders will get representation telling the world what "good" and "innocent" children they are...before their hearing, they will be taught 3 things..1) to stand up straight, 2) clutch a bible, and 3) say to the judge "i want to finish school and go to college"...this will probably the only 3 things they will be able to learn.....
While I understand everyone's concerns with a 13 year old in an elementary school, you should all note that Collins goes to either 7th or 8th grade. It is not a k-5 school. This was quite probably a 13 year old "middle schooler", which is chronologically appropriate.
jamie and MAnd if I ever wanted to call two people names, you are the two. Your responses were unbelievably stupid and cruel.
It is an extremely BAD idea to put K-8 together. The little kids will get an education, alright.
What assault??? The teacher was not assaulted . .she interjected herself into an altercation between two students and sustained injuries as a result. No one ASSAULTED her!
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