YPISILANTI, Michigan – A former employee of Ypsilanti Middle School is facing charges after allegedly choking a 14-year-old student in an incident caught on surveillance footage. The incident, described by the family’s attorney as an “assault,” took place on June 4. The employee, identified as the teen’s “trusted coach,” has been terminated from employment with Ypsilanti Community Schools, effective immediately.
According to the surveillance footage, the employee approached the student from behind in a school hallway. The video shows the employee lifting a shirt over the student’s head, causing the teenager to struggle before eventually breaking free and walking away. The entire incident lasted less than 20 seconds.
The Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office has authorized two charges against the defendant: assault with intent to do great bodily harm by strangulation and assault and battery, a misdemeanor. No further details about the case have been released.
Ypsilanti Community Schools Superintendent, Alena Zachery-Ross, has confirmed that the employee is no longer allowed to enter school property or attend school events. In a statement, Zachery-Ross expressed the district’s dedication to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students and stated that such actions are “absolutely unacceptable” and will not be tolerated.
The school district promptly contacted social services authorities and cooperated with local law enforcement upon learning about the incident. The parents of the 14-year-old student reported the incident to the police. They were shown the surveillance footage and expressed shock and loss of trust in the coach.
The alleged incident occurred after the coach, who also served as a hall monitor, ordered the student to do push-ups for misbehavior. The teenager declined due to a hand injury, according to his parents. They have been calling for charges against the former employee and are seeking consequences for his actions.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the former employee have been unsuccessful thus far. The Ypsilanti Police Department has referred all inquiries to the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office.