A previous employee of a Michigan middle school is facing liabilities for supposedly choking a 14-year-old student with a shirt, circumstances caught on surveillance footage.
Former School Coach Chokes 14-Year-Old Student with Shirt
The alleged assault took place on June 4 at Ypsilanti Middle School and involved the teen's "trusted coach," as stated by the family's attorney, Jordan Vahdat. The school district declared Monday that the employee has been terminated "effective immediately."
Surveillance footage displays the employee approaching the student from behind as the teen, determined as Michael Moon, walks down a hallway.
The footage then displays the employee raising a shirt over Michael's head, causing him to struggle before breaking free and walking away. The circumstances lasted fewer than 20 seconds.
On Wednesday, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office verified that the defendant has been accused of assault with intent to cause severe bodily harm by strangulation, along with an offense of assault and battery.
Ypsilanti Community Schools Superintendent Alena Zachery-Ross declared that the employee is banned from school property and events. She highlighted the district's commitment to safe and supportive surroundings, declaring the employee's actions as "absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated."
The district instantly contacted social services and began collaborating with law enforcement upon learning of the circumstances, Zachery-Ross said in a letter to the school community on Monday. She reassured the community of their continuous collaboration with the authorities.
Michael's Parents Presented the Surveillance Footage to the Police
Michael's parents reported the incident to the police, who then showed them the surveillance footage. His mother, Yolanda Ellis, said she was "horrified" by the footage and lost trust in the coach, who Michael had looked up to.
The incident allegedly occurred after the coach, who also acted as a hall monitor, ordered Michael to do push-ups for horsing around in the hallway. Michael declined due to a hand injury, his parents said.
Michael's parents have been calling for charges to be filed. "I need this man to pay for what he did to my son, and that means being fired, losing his job, and sitting in jail," his father, Steve Moon said.
Efforts to reach the previous employee for comment were not successful. The Ypsilanti Police Department referred to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor's Office for further comments.
A previous track coach in Metro Detroit faces liabilities after reportedly assaulting a student at Ypsilanti Middle School, circumstances recorded on surveillance video.
The student, unable to perform push-ups due to injury, was reportedly choked by the coach from behind. The coach faces charges including felony assault with intent to do great bodily harm by strangulation, along with misdemeanor assault and battery.
The incident shocked the student's mother, Yolanda Ellis, who expressed feeling let down. The student's father, Steven Moon, voiced anger and concern, particularly after learning of similar incidents from other parents.
Despite initial difficulty obtaining the video from the school, the parents received it from the police. The coach has been removed from his position at the school.
Related Article : Brooklyn Mom Shares Sorrow Over 14-Year-Old Son's Death in Accidental Shooting Involving His Cousin
