An altercation during an elementary school basketball game in Louisiana last week led to two mothers being arrested and one principal requiring hospital treatment.
On January 13, at Iberville Elementary School in Plaquemine, the principal was supervising students as they played basketball after school. She noticed two young children on the court and decided to act for their safety, moving them away from the game multiple times, as captured by school surveillance footage.
In one instance, the principal was seen lifting a child off the court while guiding another child away. She also signaled to a nearby mother, identified as 33-year-old Alessia Parker, to keep her children off the court since it was disrupting the game. This request seemingly upset Parker, who was holding one child and had another on her hip.
The footage shows Parker stepping forward toward the principal before she reportedly struck the principal in the head. The principal, who had raised her hand in a gesture of caution, was knocked out of her chair by the punch.
A deputy from the Iberville Sheriff’s Department, present at the game, quickly intervened to separate the two women. However, the principal suffered injuries, including a busted lip, and was taken to the hospital but returned to work the following day.
Parker turned herself in the next day and faced several charges, including battery of a school teacher, which is a felony. Another woman, Jemecia Godchaux, who allegedly encouraged the altercation, was also arrested. Police noted that Godchaux had made threats and was disrespectful during the incident.
Dr. Louis Voiron, the superintendent of Iberville Parish schools, condemned the behavior exhibited by both women and stated they have been banned from all schools in the district.
