Milwaukee police are looking into a violent encounter inside Wedgewood Park International School after a Milwaukee Public Schools staff member allegedly grabbed and struck a middle school student on Friday. According to school officials and officers, the student reported being in pain, and a district employee was arrested at the scene.
What police say
According to TMJ4, the Milwaukee Police Department said a preliminary investigation indicates the incident happened around 1 p.m. Friday in the 6500 block of W. Warnimont Avenue and involved an MPS employee striking a student. Police said a 26-year-old man was taken into custody and that criminal charges will be referred to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office in the coming days.
District response
In a letter sent to families, Wedgewood Park Principal Elhadji Ndaw wrote, "Today, we received a report that a staff member allegedly grabbed and pushed a student," adding that the district immediately contacted police and Child Protective Services. The principal told families the staff member is no longer working in the building while Milwaukee Public Schools conducts its own internal investigation and offers support services for students and staff.
Student account and family reaction
As reported by CBS58, 14-year-old Khalib Jones said the encounter escalated to the point where he was "picked up and slammed to the ground" after a disagreement. He reported that his head and arm hurt afterward. His father told CBS58 he watched officers and school staff review video of the incident and said he wants the staff member to face consequences.
Questions about oversight
The Wedgewood Park case is landing in a tense moment for Milwaukee Public Schools, coming on the heels of other allegations involving district staff this year and renewing questions about training and supervision. WISN reported that an Engleburg teacher was arrested this spring after police said she punched a student, and ex-Riverside aide case coverage detailed a January incident in which a former Riverside paraprofessional pleaded not guilty to a battery charge.
What’s next
Police said criminal charges in the Wedgewood Park case will be forwarded to the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office for review, and MPS stated it will determine appropriate disciplinary action after its internal investigation is complete, according to CBS58. In the meantime, families seeking help or more information were directed in the district's letter to contact the school office at (414) 604-7800.
