ANGLETON, Texas – A 12-year-old student tells KPRC 2 News Reporter, Corley Peel, she was “tossed around like a rag doll” by a teacher at Angleton Heritage Junior High School in a terrifying incident captured on surveillance video. Since she is a minor, KPRC 2 News is not identifying her.
The student, a sixth grader, admitted to shoving the teacher’s daughter during an argument but says she immediately took responsibility and reported the incident to a school counselor. Moments later, she says the teacher confronted her with rage, grabbed her from her chair, and slammed her against a desk and wall, lifting her off the ground.
“I couldn’t feel anything but terror,” the student said.
The student’s mother, Annabell Suarez described watching the surveillance footage at the District Attorney’s Office as heartbreaking.
“As a mom, it broke my heart. I gasped, I cried, I raged,” she said. “She looked like a ragdoll. He literally just swung her around like a ragdoll.”
The student said she was left with bruises and scrapes but was fortunate to be wearing a hoodie at the time.
The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office confirmed the teacher, who also served as a coach, is under investigation for assault. The district said he has resigned from Angleton ISD but has not been charged.
Suarez emphasized the need for stronger protections and transparency.
“We want to ask about maybe increasing security for students, making sure that they handle these types of situations with more clarity and transparency to the public,” she said. “He took it way far above and beyond. He needs to do some time.”
Some parents attending the meeting expressed support for the teacher, saying the incident seemed out of character.
Angleton ISD says it is cooperating with law enforcement and the Texas Education Agency.
The District Attorney’s office says the assault investigation will soon go before a grand jury, which will decide whether charges should be filed.
Statement from district:
Angleton ISD is continuing an investigation into an incident regarding a teacher at Heritage Junior High. The teacher has resigned his position and is no longer an employee of Angleton ISD. The district is cooperating with all appropriate law enforcement agencies and is following all required notifications including the Texas Education Association.