10-year-old student may face battery charge after hugging school counselor
A 10-year-old boy was suspended from his Florida elementary school and faces a charge of misdemeanor battery after he was accused of inappropriately touching a school counselor during a hug, an allegation his family denies.
The counselor at Holly Hill School in Volusia County alleged that she was visiting a classroom on Oct. 24 to discuss something when the fourth-grader approached her for a hug, according to a police report and a copy of his suspension letter provided by attorneys for the boy’s family. She said she “turned sideways to give a side hug,” the letter says, and the child put one arm around her shoulder and with the other hand “reached and grabbed her left breast.” The counselor said she removed his hand and he walked away, the letter says.
The child’s family disputes the counselor’s version of events. Attorney Rawsi Williams said the boy says it was the counselor who initiated the hug. “All he did was go up to hug her. It was nothing more than that for him. He then went back to his desk, talked with his other football playmates,” she said.“The next thing he knew, the teacher calls him up and accuses him of having groped this lady. [The child] denied it, but even with him denying it, they still suspended him. They still called the police on him. The [counselor] still told the police that she wanted to pursue criminal battery charges against this 10-year-old kid.”
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This brings to mind my experience at school at age 13. I saw a fellow student appear to accidentally bump into a female custodian. What was odd was this boy apologized to her so profusely. It was odd because it was so unlike his typically ‘bad’ behavior. The woman glared at him and then got on with her job collecting the garbage.
At that moment I considered what I saw, and realized that he intentionally bumped right up to her front and groped her right breast. It lasted longer than a quick squeeze even. I have thought about these events many times in the past five decades, I replay what I saw in my mind. I have no idea how many other students witnessed it also, it was a crowded cafeteria.
I wish one of us reported it to the school. Maybe the school would have contacted his parents, maybe he would have been suspended. He at least needed a good talking to, to be told that his actions were not acceptable. As far as reporting to the police, beyond following what the law dictates, I am ambivalent.
What the hell does this have to do with THE CURRENT SITUATION?
Interesting the original report said the councilor was there to talk with the teacher the kid came up gave her the hug then went back to his seat to talk with friends the follow up makes it sound like the kid came into the room to give her a hug. And if the councilor was there to talk with the teacher why and how did the teacher not see this happen ? Did the councilor not make any sound of surprise , protest or outrage that she was unexpectedly touched in such a manner ? It all sounds fishy