Wash High teacher not charged in gym episode
The Washington High School teacher who pulled an eighth-grader to the ground during gym class last week will not face criminal charges, city police Chief Chris Luppino said Wednesday.
“The teacher had no idea it was an accident and reacted to protect himself,” Luppino said. “He grabbed onto the student and flipped him onto his back.”
The 13-year-old boy tumbled into the teacher after another student tripped into him, prompting both to fall to the ground before a morning yoga class Feb. 10, police said.
The mother of the boy, Rosylen Fedd, previously claimed the teacher “choke slammed” her son, who was in pain after the incident but suffered no serious injuries.
However, Luppino said the police investigation revealed the teacher, whose name is being withheld by the Observer-Reporter because he was not charged, reacted after being surprised by the blow and did not intend to hurt the boy.
“The investigation pretty much found that the force used by the teacher was reasonable and justifiable that, although (the student) accidentally fell into him, it was violent enough to knock off (the teacher’s) glasses and knock the wind out of him,” Luppino said.
Fedd did not return a phone call Wednesday to discuss the results of the investigation. The teacher was suspended with pay after the incident, although district Superintendent Roberta DiLorenzo could not be reached for comment on whether he will return to his job.
Luppino did not know the teacher’s status with the school but said their investigation is now closed.
School officials previously said a school nurse evaluated both the student and teacher for injuries immediately following the incident. School administrators then interviewed both students and teachers about what transpired.