Video Shows Teacher Choking 11-Year-Old Black Student
Watch video of Fleet’s actions here:
Chiquita Handley recently obtained surveillance video that shows her 11-year-old son being choked by Pleasantdale Elementary School teacher Stephanie Fleet. The incident occurred on May 22, but Handley is just now getting access to the video of the incident after filing an open records request with DeKalb County Schools. In an interview with local news station 11Alive, Handley states that she did not realize how bad it was until seeing the video, stating, “I saw it and my heart just dropped. It’s nothing anyone ever wants to see their child go through.”
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The surveillance video opens in the school cafeteria where Ravon is seen sitting at a table with other students when Stephanie Fleet comes up and snatches the child’s chair from behind him. According to statements from students and teachers, Ravon was allegedly being disruptive, cursing, and threatening to hit Fleet. Handley describes the incident by saying, “She’s choking him from behind. She’s walking with him and choking him at the same time. My son’s feet were lifted to the tip of his toes because of the force she used around my son’s neck, pulling back on my son’s neck.”
Fleet was eventually suspended without pay for three days, placed on a professional development plan and given a letter of reprimand, but Handley does not feel the punishment is sufficient after seeing the surveillance video. Handley states, “She choked somebody’s child, and she’s able to get back into the same building and teach. If it was me choking my own child on tape, there’s no way that my two kids would still be in the house with me. She should not be teaching.” Handley is currently exploring what legal action can be taken against Fleet and the school district.
Quinn Hudson, spokesman for the DeKalb County School District released a statement regarding the incident, stating, “Following an investigation and established administrative protocol, the DeKalb County School District Office of Legal Affairs supports the recommendation from PRincipal Terri Brown that Ms. Stephanie Fleet remain at Pleasantdale Elementary School and that she was placed on a Professional Development Plan and that she received a Letter of Reprimand and a three day suspension without pay. The suspension without pay and letter of reprimand occurred on or about October 15, 2014.”