Baltimore Community HS Student Charged With Assaulting Teacher

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--A 14-year old Baltimore student is charged with assaulting a teacher in an altercation that left the teacher badly injured.

Pat Warren is following the new developments in the case.

Officials are still trying to sort through the details of the attack at Baltimore Community High School.

The school website describes Baltimore Community High School as serving urban, high-risk young people in search of a positive school experience.

Teacher Jeffrey Slattery's experience on Wednesday left him injured after he says he tried to direct a 14-year-old student out of a hallway and into a classroom.

WJZ spoke with Slattery by phone on Friday. He says his jaw is broken and he's in too much pain for an interview. His wife Rebecca also declined to go on camera, but says the incident has disrupted their lives, and the student involved needs help.

Many of the students at Baltimore Community have histories of truancy, dropping out and repeatedly failing. Slattery says he's had two run-ins with this particular student in the past.

The mother of one of the students there told WJZ she considers school safety an issue on many levels.

"My daughter is 15 years old. They came to the school and said if she was behind in school, they could help her transform and graduate at the right time and help her performance. I was with it. I was happy about it, but now to find out that it's kids here that's 18, that's 21. That's probably who beat up that teacher—a grown man," said Tonya Ligon.

Pat Warren: "He's 14."

 Tonya Ligon: "Oh, I didn't know he was 14. He must got problems or issues of his own. I don't know."

Baltimore city schools issued this statement: "The incident is currently under investigation, and school administrators will take appropriate actions in accordance with city schools discipline policy and procedures. Under the Baltimore City Public Schools code of conduct, a student assault on a teacher or any school staff member is a serious disciplinary infraction that may result in extended suspension or expulsion."

Slattery is scheduled for surgery Saturday.

The 14-year-old's name is being withheld because of his age. He is charged with first-degree assault and is due in court next month.