RICHMOND, Va. -- A teacher was placed on administrative leave pending investigation after an incident involving an eight-year-old boy last week, a Richmond Schools spokesperson confirmed. A detective was assigned to the case, Richmond Police added.
"I was already aware of what happened before I saw my son,” Keosha Williams said.
Williams said a third grade teacher at Chimborazo Elementary put her hands on her son Dresean. An act Williams called unacceptable.
"Parents, we have to step up for our kids and go to their school and PTA meetings,” she said. “You just got to be there because you don't know what is going on.”
Dresean said the incident began when his teacher turned off the classroom lights because the class was being loud.
"Then she turned them back on and kicked my chair," the third grader responded. "She came and choked me like this and pulled my neck back. It hurt."
Mom said Dresean is a special needs student, but added no one child should have to deal with what her son experienced.
"He has a lot of meltdowns. That's why he is in special education,” Williams said. “He has a counselor beside him because he struggles a lot."
For Williams the struggle is even greater now, because her son is scared, even though the school district put the teacher on administrative leave pending the outcome of their investigation.
"They contacted me after they had put him on the bus,” she said. “He was injured and scared, you know."
Williams said she had to take her son to the doctor to get his neck checked out. She said she is grateful that the police are involved.
