Parents in Conyers say a paraprofessional at C.J. Hicks Elementary slapped their 7-year-old son, who is autistic and non-verbal, in a school hallway, rattling the family and raising fresh questions about student safety. The boy’s mother says another teacher witnessed the incident, reported it to the principal and set off a rapid response inside the building. The family says it plans to pursue criminal charges while the school district runs its own investigation.
District Removes Employee, Opens Probe
According to WSB-TV, Rockdale County Public Schools says administrators launched an internal investigation as soon as the alleged misconduct was reported. The paraprofessional did not return to the classroom after that point and is no longer employed by the district. In a written statement, officials stressed a commitment to “transparency, accountability and compliance” while investigators sort through what happened.
Parent and Witness Account
The child’s mother, Seyonia Chatman, told WSB-TV that the principal called her and described the report from the witnessing teacher. According to Chatman, she was told the paraprofessional “basically slapped my son in the back of the head, and it was an incident.” She publicly thanked the staff member who came forward and said she intends to press criminal charges. Conyers police have not publicly confirmed that an arrest has been made.
Pattern of Complaints in Rockdale
Attorney Kianna Chennault, who has represented multiple Rockdale County families alleging abuse in schools, says this latest report fits into a broader pattern parents have been flagging for several years. As reported by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Chennault has handled several such cases in the district since 2023, while parents and advocates have pressed for tougher oversight and stronger protections for students. Earlier reporting on related incidents highlighted community outcry over how the district responds when staff are accused of harming children.
Legal and Policy Fallout
The district has said it will “swiftly investigate” allegations and cooperate with law enforcement, the Department of Family and Children Services and the Georgia Professional Standards Commission when necessary, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Families represented by Chennault are calling for concrete changes, including tighter hiring and screening practices, trauma-informed training for school employees and clearer rules for notifying parents when incidents are documented.
For now, officials say the employee is out of the classroom while the district’s probe continues and investigators decide what happens next. Parents say they plan to keep public pressure on Rockdale County Public Schools as they pursue answers and accountability. Hoodline will update this story if officials release new information or if authorities take formal legal action.
