Teacher Janice Watkins (pictured) was brutally assaulted by a parent who disagreed with the discipline of her fourth-grade daughter.
LATEST: Teacher Beaten By Parents For Disciplining Student – Was Assaulted By Child Before Beating
Pittsburgh, PA – Pittsburgh elementary school teacher Janice Watkins (pictured) was brutally assaulted by one of the parents on Wednesday.
The attack was out of vengeance for the discipline Watkins gave to the culprit’s child. The assailant was then arrested and identified as Daishonta Marie Williams, 29.
The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at Pittsburgh King PreK-8 School on the North Side, according to CBS News.
Janice Watkins, 46, confiscated a cellphone from a fourth-grade female because there is a strict no-cellphone policy at the district. Watkins was then seriously bitten by that fourth-grader in retaliation.
Shortly after, her parents came to the school and proceeded to warn the teacher that she was “going to get even.”
Watkins then left to get the bite wound checked out at a local clinic, when she was followed by Williams and at least another unidentified male.
As Watkins stopped at a red light at Route 65 and the West End Bridge, Williams’ black SUV pulled up.
“She said, ‘I put my window down, and the woman threw a brick through my window,’ and hit her in her face,” Watkins’ mother told CBS News. “And that’s when she said, so-and-so ‘I told you that I would get you,’ and [Watkins] said, ‘When I got out of that car,’ she said, ‘I didn’t realize it was two other people,’ she said, but she felt something hit her in the back, and it was two men.”
After the beating, Watkins called 911 as the suspects took off.
“Her head is hurting real bad, her face is right on the one side it’s swollen,” Watkins’ mother reported. “So they took her down. They said they want to do a scan to make sure everything’s OK.”
Williams has since been arrested and is being charged for aggravated assault, stalking, terroristic threats, and recklessly endangering another person. The other suspects that accompanied Williams still have not been identified or located.
A boy with Down’s syndrome is a new model for clothing brand River Island.
HeartWarming: Kid With Down’s Syndrome Is A New River Island Model
A boy with Down’s syndrome is a new model for clothing brand River Island. Joseph Hale from Grimsby came along to join other children in the fashion line’s Kids Squad advert to show off the smart, new attire.
A post on Instagram reads: “Ultimate #SquadGoals Every RI kid is different, but there’s one thing they all want – cool clothes (and a big party)! Introducing the stars of the #RIKidsSquad!”
Joseph, titled ‘Traditionalist’, was wearing formal shoes, trousers and a green, long-sleeve shirt in the ad. His mum, Karen, has told the Grimsby Telegraph how delighted she was to have her son involved.
She added: “Disability should not define them. Joseph is a person. His Down’s is a small part of him. There is a lot more to see than the face value. They have a physical disability, yes, but people have preconceived ideas – you need to see the person beneath.”
Joseph also agreed that it was a fun day at the photoshoot. He told the newspaper: “It was nice to show the video to friends at school. People can take selfies with me now. River Island made it comfortable for me and I really enjoyed it. I was trying to get everyone to dance to the music. It is good to be able to champion disabilities.”
It was Joseph’s first ever modelling job, but not his first experience in front of a camera. Just last month, his group, the Zedebee Performing Arts Group, auditioned for a performance on the next season of Britain’s Got Talent. The group is an inclusive drama group which works with people who have learning difficulties and disabilities.
Their work aims to help people to gain confidence, build self-esteem and develop social, life and physical skills.
Joseph’s dad is in hope that this kind action shall inspire other companies to include people from all backgrounds and abilities in future campaigns. To the Huffington Post he said:
“Advertising can put across in a very positive way, that even if a person has a special need and or a disability they still have emotions, thoughts, feelings, and dreams the same as anyone else. And, given the correct guidance, support and right opportunities to be included in everything, they can thrive and achieve the most wonderful things”
“The impact of more brands including mixed abilities in advertising could be huge – not just for our son but for anyone with a special need and/or a disability.”