RICHMOND, Va. -- "It just hurts to see your child hurting like that over something like this," parent Iris Quarles said. Quarles said her 15-year-old son, a student at Huguenot High School, was smacked in the face by his teacher.
"He was upset. He was crying….informed me that the teacher had smacked him in the face," said Quarles.
Iris Quarles told WTVR CBS 6 that she got a call from her son Anthony Tuesday morning; he said that his English teacher assaulted him for not paying attention in class. The alleged assault resulted in a swollen eye.
"How could something like this happen? As a parent - I send my children to school so they can learn. It is my job to make sure they're protected at all costs," said Quarles.
Quarles showed paperwork from the school nurse who told her to take her son to the ER because of the swelling. She told WTVR CBS 6 she went back to Huguenot High the day after the incident to get the teacher's side of the story. She said the teacher's explanation did not make sense.
"She was taking my son and doing like this. And I then asked her. So, how did he get the mark underneath his right eye. And why was his right eye swollen?" said Quarles.
Questions that Quarles said the teacher couldn't answers. The teacher apologized for her actions, she said.
Richmond Public Schools confirmed they were investigating an allegation of misconduct "horseplay" by that teacher. The teacher is now on paid administrative leave, a status which does not sit well with Iris Quarles.
"Hell yeah, it bothers me. It's like why is she being paid. She did something wrong," said Quarles.
Quarles said she's waiting to hear back from Richmond Police in hopes of filing an Assault and Battery charge against that teacher.
Richmond Public Schools released the following statement:
Richmond Public Schools is investigating an allegation of misconduct “horseplay” by a Huguenot High School teacher. The teacher has been placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the investigation. The district takes these matters seriously. Disciplinary actions will be taken in accordance with our human resources policies and procedures. As always, the safety and well being of our students is our chief concern.
