This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/15/us/Student-body-slammed-school.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Deputy Sheriff Is Suspended for Body-Slamming Student at School Deputy Sheriff No Longer With Department After Body-Slamming Student at School
(about 7 hours later)
A North Carolina sheriff’s deputy has been suspended after the authorities said he lifted up a student and slammed the boy to the ground twice before dragging him through a school hallway — a use of force caught on video. A North Carolina sheriff’s deputy who authorities said slammed a student to the ground twice before dragging him through a school hallway — a use of force caught on video — is no longer with the department, according to authorities.
Sheriff Curtis Brame of Vance County confirmed the officer’s departure in a statement on Monday. The sheriff’s office would not say if the deputy was fired or if he resigned.
The violent episode took place on Thursday at Vance County Middle School in Henderson, N.C., according to a spokeswoman for the school district, which is about an hour north of Raleigh.The violent episode took place on Thursday at Vance County Middle School in Henderson, N.C., according to a spokeswoman for the school district, which is about an hour north of Raleigh.
The deputy, who serves as a school resource officer, has not been named. He is the subject of an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, which the authorities said had been called in by the sheriff to determine whether the use of force was justified or whether criminal charges against the officer were warranted.The deputy, who serves as a school resource officer, has not been named. He is the subject of an investigation by the State Bureau of Investigation, which the authorities said had been called in by the sheriff to determine whether the use of force was justified or whether criminal charges against the officer were warranted.
Security camera footage of the episode emerged on social media on Friday, a day after the authorities said the incident had been reported to the bureau for investigation.Security camera footage of the episode emerged on social media on Friday, a day after the authorities said the incident had been reported to the bureau for investigation.
“As a parent who watched the video, it’s very disturbing,” Michael D. Waters, the local district attorney, said in an interview Sunday. “I don’t understand why that would have happened. But as a district attorney, I’m committed to finding the facts and the truth, and we will promptly get a determination of what happened in this case.”“As a parent who watched the video, it’s very disturbing,” Michael D. Waters, the local district attorney, said in an interview Sunday. “I don’t understand why that would have happened. But as a district attorney, I’m committed to finding the facts and the truth, and we will promptly get a determination of what happened in this case.”
It was not clear what prompted the violent confrontation, which the authorities said happened as the deputy was escorting the student to the school administration office.It was not clear what prompted the violent confrontation, which the authorities said happened as the deputy was escorting the student to the school administration office.
The authorities would not disclose the boy’s age or the nature of his injuries. They would only say that the student was under 12 years old and had sought medical attention.The authorities would not disclose the boy’s age or the nature of his injuries. They would only say that the student was under 12 years old and had sought medical attention.
“We are deeply concerned by the actions that took place,” Aarika Sandlin, a Vance County Schools spokeswoman, said in an email Sunday. “School and district officials are working closely and in full cooperation with the local authorities to address this matter consistent with school board policy and state laws. The safety of our students has been and continues to be of the utmost importance to our district.” During a news conference on Monday, Anthony D. Jackson, the Vance County Public Schools superintendent, apologized to the student’s family and the community. Mr. Jackson also announced that the agreement with the sheriff’s office would be modified, giving officials time to review current protocols and ensure that best practices and procedures are being used.
Ms. Sandlin directed further questions to the county sheriff, Curtis R. Brame, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sunday. “We want to express our apologies to our community that this has occurred," he said. “No student should ever experience this in any way, especially not in our schools.”
Sheriff Brame told the local station WRAL that he was troubled by the video of the episode.Sheriff Brame told the local station WRAL that he was troubled by the video of the episode.
“I was stunned,” he said. “I was shocked. Seeing a child that small reminded me of one of my grandchildren.”“I was stunned,” he said. “I was shocked. Seeing a child that small reminded me of one of my grandchildren.”