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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39 thoughts on “10-year-old student may face battery charge after hugging school counselor

  • November 10, 2022

    Another example of making mountains out of mole hills. This should have never made the news. This should have been handled between the teachers ,the student and his parents. Period. The child may need some sex education on being more careful and why.
    The teachers should have been adult enough to recognize that. Are they not in that position to teach. If not they need to get in a different profession.

    Reply
  • November 10, 2022

    The Justice Statistics in both Canada and in the United States show that people who have Drug Offenses Re-Offend at 80% and Higher and that both people who have Homicide Offenses and Sex Offenses Collectively Together Re-Offend at 5% and Lower. Plus according to Statistics from the Innocence Project 90% of all Sex Crimes Cases and 85% of all Homicide Crimes Cases Lack the Direct Physical Forensic Evidence for Adequate and Proper Prosecution Beyond Reasonable Doubt and with Moral Certainty because of the Very Low Forensic Standards for Violent Crimes in North America Hence the Very High Rate of Wrongful Convictions among those Accused, Prosecuted and Convicted of both Homicide Crimes and Sex Crimes Collectively Together.

    Reply
  • November 10, 2022

    Amazing how a hug turns into both something racial and sexual. And at the diabolical hands of a 10 year old. At what point does the trained professional realize awkward hugs happen. No malicious intent. I hope this counselor is sent to Siberia as her part in this insane story.

    Reply
    • November 10, 2022

      I doubt racism contributed to anything. But, I agree that it’s overblown: either the hug was misconstrued as a grope or IF the child did cop a feel, needs to be addressed outside the legal system.

      Reply
    • November 10, 2022

      This happened in Florida, so she’s already there IMO.

      Police state…check
      Human rights, what human rights?….check
      Run by a megalomaniac who thinks it’s all about him…..check

      Reply
  • November 10, 2022

    This is whats wrong with this country, everyone goes to the police for every little thing.

    Reply
  • November 10, 2022

    Even though this needs to addressed, a 10 year does not need to be on a registry. Well none of us do, however, it is hard to cope as an adult on the registry, imagine a kid now never being able to play with their friends, because they will not have any thanks to a registry if put on it.

    Reply
  • November 10, 2022

    I’m sure whoever investigates this case will be more than happy to add his name to the registry. Life destroyed at age 10 over a hug… nice.

    Reply

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