Lake Forest 10-year-old says his gym teacher “slammed” him on the floor, an investigation is in the early stages
FELTON, Del.- A parent of a Lake Forest Central Elementary School student felt very emotional after finding out from other parents that her child was allegedly hurt by his gym teacher. 10-year-old, Zyh’mire Florestal Young, said he and a classmate were playing during class but his teacher wasn’t happy about it.
“The fact that he called for me and nobody bothered to pick up the phone and say hey your son needs you is emotional, I feel like I failed him as a parent because I didn’t know and I wasn’t there to protect him,” Regina Young Johns, mother of Zyh’mire, said.
“He came up to me and started yelling, so I stood up right in front of the girl, and he was at my face and I pushed him,” Zyh’mire, said.
But, Zyh’mire told us that situation escalated with the teacher slamming him on the floor. He says not once, but twice.
“All the kids picked me up and all of them were crying and yelling at the gym teacher to get off off of me,” Zyh’mire, said.
Zyhmire said after the incident he was never taken to the nurse and students were told not to tell their parents about what happened. Also, Regina said she was never notified about anything. But, once she learned more she took Zyh’mire to the hospital to make sure he was okay.
“We found out it was multiple bruises, concussion, muscle damage,” Regina said.
Regina said this whole situation never should have happened like it did. Zyh’mire is autistic, has an IEP, a Crisis Plan, and a behavioral health plan.
“You are not to surround him or come close to him, you are also supposed to remove all children so there are no children what witness what happens,” Regina said.
Regina told 47ABC she’s met with State Police and school leaders, and State Police tell her a crime didn’t occur. With that said, she’s requesting an emergency IEP meeting.
“You can come to me about anything with my kid, so just need to know that he’s safe, that’s my big thing, they need to communicate,” Regina said.
47ABC reached out to the Superintendent of The Lake Forest School District. He said in a statement, “The Lake Forest School District takes all matters of student safety very seriously. Student welfare is our highest priority. We do not comment on specific incidents- but all matters in the district are handled judiciously in accordance with all laws and applicable policies.”
Delaware State Police has been notified and are currently in the early stages of the investigation. They said there is currently no additional information available.
