RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond mother arrested for attacking her son’s kindergarten teacher was found to be incompetent to stand trial. A judge announced the ruling during Elishia Branch’s hearing Friday morning in Richmond. Branch, 33, was ordered to see a psychiatrist. During those sessions, the hope is she would be able to understand the services offered by her lawyer, Richmond Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Cynthia Payne said.
Branch was charged with misdemeanor simple assault following the October attack at Linwood Holton Elementary School in which the teacher suffered serious injuries.
Sources familiar with the attack, which happened inside the school before the school day started, said Branch repeatedly slammed the teacher’s head into the concrete floor. Students did not witness the attack.
Branch has been banned from the elementary school and from contacting the teacher.
Richmond Public Schools officials said the teacher was back teaching and in good spirits.
Branch was ordered back to court February 25 so the judge could determine whether she had indeed attended sessions with a psychiatrist.
