Police investigating after child punched by a parent inside charter school
WASHINGTON (WJLA) – Cameras rolling at KIPP DC Spring Academy caught a parent acting inappropriately Wednesday around 8:30 a.m. Lena Mclean requested the video from the school’s hallway, after her 7-year-old son John told her he had been assaulted by a schoolmate’s parent.
“I was in the hallway, the day was on Wednesday, and then somebody punched me in my stomach,” said John.
That punch caused John to slump over. While he held his stomach, the parent walked out of the building.
“It made my stomach real painful,” said John.
“You watched my son on that ground and you didn’t do nothing ... and all you could say to me is you was playing,” said Lena.
Lena tells ABC7 she has had positive interactions with the parent a few times in the past. She doesn’t understand why he would hurt her child.
“You don’t bully a child, you don’t torment a child. I wouldn’t do that to you. I wouldn’t do that to none of your kids,” said Lena. “I’ll feel much better when he is locked up.”
A police report was filed and D.C. police are investigating the incident. The parent in the video has not been arrested.
KIPP DC sent the following letter to parents following the incident:
October 21, 2016
Dear Webb Campus families,
On Wednesday, an isolated incident occurred on campus between a student and a family acquaintance who was also a Spring Academy parent. KIPP DC emergency protocol includes contacting the police, confirming a students' (sic) health and safety with the school nurse, and immediately notifying students' families. We would like to commend KIPP DC staff members for following all emergency protocol and quickly addressing this isolated incident.
The health and safety of our students, teachers, and staff remains our number one priority and we will continue to work closely with the police to ensure that students and staff are safe at school.
As this is an open police investigation, and in an effort to protect the privacy of the individuals involved, we are unable to provide additional details at this time. Please direct any questions or concerns about this incident to the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 698-0150.
Again, our priority is to make sure all of our students are safe and learning at our wonderful schools. Thank you for your continued support.
