Assault on teacher called rare incident

Teacher yelled for help as student twisted her wrist

An 18-year-old Hahnville High School student was arrested recently at the school and booked with battery after twisting his teacher’s wrist as she confiscated his cell phone, authorities say.

St. Charles Parish sheriff’s officials say Damon Scott, of 476 Killona Drive, Killona, was upset that his phone was taken and twisted the teacher’s wrist until she dropped it. The incident occurred April 2 when the teacher was attempting to turn the phone in at the school’s office.

“After an announcement for students to report to their next class due to a severe weather watch, Scott approached the teacher’s podium where he attempted to get back his cell phone,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange.

The teacher told authorities that she yelled for help when Scott twisted her wrist. A 15-year-old student witness confirmed the teacher’s story.

“Scott admitted to approaching his teacher and asking for his phone back and then grabbing it out of her hand,” added LaGrange.

Scott, a junior, was arrested around 1:15 p.m. He was booked with battery on a school teacher and disturbing the peace.
Students in St. Charles Parish Public Schools can have cell phones on campus, but district policy prohibits the use of cell phones while school is in session and the phones are not supposed to be visible.

Public Information Officer for the schools, Rochelle Cancienne-Touchard, says an assault of this type has never happened before.

“This is an isolated incident,” she said. “There have been no assaults on teachers related to the confiscation of cell phones.

“Cell phone infractions are documented and schools monitor all discipline.”

Cancienne-Touchard points out that a district discipline committee reviews the code of conduct to recommend revisions if necessary.

The teacher sought treatment for a possible wrist injury at River Parishes Hospital, according to a police report.
If convicted of assault on a school teacher, Scott could be fined no more than $500 or imprisoned for 30 to 90 days. Currently, Scott is being recommended for expulsion, according to Cancienne-Touchard.