The 49-year-old teacher has been filmed pulling the hair of a 12-year-old female student during an altercation. A video of the incident reportedly shows students screaming for the educator to let go of her 12-year-old victim. The teacher eventually does and appears to push the student’s head afterward.
The 49-year-old teacher from Connecticut, Jennifer Wells-Jackson, was arrested and charged with risk of injury to a minor and second degree breach of peace at King/Robinson Interdistrict Magnet School on Tuesday afternoon, according to reports.
Officials said that she is reportedly the fourth teacher from the school district to be arrested since November, including one educator who brought a gun to the school, according to reports.
Video of the incident shows students screaming for the 49-year-old teacher to let go of her 12 year old victim. She eventually does and appears to push the student’s head afterward.
NHPS officials released the following statement:
“The district takes student safety very seriously. The school and the district are cooperating fully with the investigation by the Police Department.”
The child’s mother, Destinie James, reportedly said that she is still trying to process what happened and how it could’ve been handled differently. She reportedly said:
“There’s certain things you say and there’s certain things you don’t say, there’s certain things you do and certain things you’re not supposed to do especially when dealing with people’s children. At the end of the day, there’s no justification for putting your hands on someone’s child.”
Wells-Jackson is expected in court next week. This incident remains under investigation. This is a developing story and it will be updated as new information become available.
#CAUGHTONCAMERA – @wtnh obtained video showing a teacher at King Robinson Magnet School grabbing a 12-year-old student's hair
— Lauren Linder (@lauren_linder) February 3, 2022
The student's mom tells me "there's no justification for putting your hands on someone's child"#NewHaven pic.twitter.com/mCF1Ws5fQc