A Texas fifth grader required several stitches to his head after injuries he sustained in an alleged altercation with a teacher at his elementary school early last week.
Kamauri Williamson’s injuries were so severe, he had to be airlifted to a local hospital, Houston station ABC13 reports.
Willamson’s mother, Kiana Randolph, said the fight inside Post Elementary School reportedly began over a juice box at lunch. The teacher in question had accused him of stealing it, according to her son.
After getting a call from the school nurse, Randolph rushed to the school to find her 11-year-old son with an open gash above his right eyebrow.
“They’re supposed to be in a safe place while you’re at work, and to get this type of reaction of a head being busted open, especially over a juice box,” she told the outlet. “Nobody deserves this, especially my son. I would never had thought that would have happened to my kid.”
The altercation, which started in the hall before spilling into a classroom, was partly caught on school surveillance. Randolph watched a part of the video and was shocked by what she saw.
“You see the teacher grab the hoodie, and you see, at one point my son’s feet lift up off the ground,” she said. “He’s basically being choked.”
The teacher, who hasn’t been named, has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation by Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District or Cy-Fair ISD.
District officials addressed the incident in a statement:
“A Post Elementary School student had a medical emergency last Wednesday that precipitated the need for emergency treatment. The employee was placed on administrative leave, and the incident is currently under investigation.”
Kamauri has since returned to class, but his mom remains concerned about what could happen once the teacher’s suspension is lifted.
“[That teacher] needs to not be able to work with children again,” Randolph argued. “Just, not at all. That was just very, very upsetting to watch as a mother. It’s very hurtful. No one’s child should be treated like that in any manner.”
Watch more in the video below.