A Georgia prison guard is facing charges after an incident where he boarded a school bus and allegedly threatened students over a bullying issue involving his child. Kristopher Douglas Elder, a 37-year-old detention officer from Newnan, was charged with disrupting a public school on Jan. 12, after surveillance footage from the bus confirmed the confrontation, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
According to the video, Elder is seen flashing a gold badge and declaring his law enforcement status to the bus driver, stating, "Hey, so I’m a law enforcement officer, and I’m gonna address an issue." Coweta County investigators believe the act was borne out of concern for his child being bullied by two students, with Elder at some point saying, "Bullying is illegal, I have handcuffs on my hip, and I am not afraid to use them...,” Elders words rang through both the bus and into the ears of authorities upon review, leading to his subsequent arrest. Neither the alleged bullying nor Elder's concerns were reported to Northside Elementary School administrators prior to the confrontation on the bus, the school system claims.
The aftermath of Elder’s alleged threat was a bus full of upset children and a driver who had to pull over to calm the situation. "This type of behavior is not acceptable, and we’re handling it in accordance with our policies," Larry Clifton, the warden of the Coweta State Prison, told FOX 5, confirming Elder's status as a detention officer. "We are also cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office during the ongoing investigation."
The bus incident spilled into further controversy as Northside Elementary's principal, Amy Addison, after viewing the recorded footage, expressed her shock. "I am appalled by Elder’s actions," Addison told Hoodline. In response, Elder, when approached at his home, declined to comment. A statement obtained by WSB Radio from Warden Clifton noted an immediate internal investigation, and stressed that “this kind of behavior is unacceptable.” Despite the ongoing internal investigation and dealings with the sheriff's office, there were no charges filed against Elder as mentioned in reports up to the latest.
Moreover, the school administration is pushing a message of communication to parents following the incident. A letter was sent home to parents encouraging them to reach out to school administration with any concerns. The school system reassures they are committed to investigating reports of bullying seriously and prompt action will be taken when necessary. Elder's bold move to confront alleged bullies directly reflects a ripple in the community that touches upon the heartache of childhood taunts and the lengths a guardian will go to protect their progeny, albeit through means not sanctioned by the local law.
