BALL, La. (KALB/Gray News) -- A parent is suing a school board in Louisiana over the actions of a former elementary school teacher accused of physically assaulting a student in 2023.
Security footage obtained by KALB from Ball Elementary School shows a classroom at 3:13 p.m. with students done with class for the day. The former teacher in question, Stephanie Robertson, can be seen speaking on her phone. As she paces from one side of the room, a child attempts to walk towards the exit door. After scolding the child for leaving his desk, Robertson notices a boy sitting on his desk and throws him to the ground. After remaining on the floor for a period of time, the boy eventually climbs onto his desk again.
The second time, Robertson responds, causing the boy to flee and eventually leading Robertson to carry him by the collar of his clothing into the hallway.
The boy's father, Courtland, said the alleged assault continued, though KALB could not independently verify due to the Rapides Parish School Board (RPSB) denying access to security footage from the hallway, citing the parents' lawsuit.
Following the incident, Robertson resigned; KALB questioned her on whether it was a result of the altercation. Robertson responded, saying it was one of multiple other reasons.
KALB's review of state records shows Robertson's license to teach pre-K through fifth grade has no penalty or suspension and is valid through 2027.
Additionally, the Town of Ball police separately cited Robertson with a misdemeanor for simple battery, a citation forwarded to Ball's mayor's court.
Mayor's courts in Louisiana typically handle simple traffic violations or violations of local ordinances. Such courts do not have the legal jurisdiction under Louisiana state law to try or process cases involving juveniles.
Town records show the case was largely left in limbo for years after the misdemeanor was issued.
"They don't have the resources, they were totally silent," Courtland said.
Thomas Davenport, a Pineville-based lawyer with no involvement in the case, reviewed the footage and shared his expert opinion with KALB.
"This was not acceptable," Davenport said. "What I saw was a very young child, who looked to be about maybe five, possibly six, doing something I've done myself, sitting on top of a desk. Then this teacher comes in, just jerks the boy off the desk. No instruction, no guidance. Then she did it again, but this second time appeared to be more aggressive than the first one."
Davenport overall questioned the actions of the Town of Ball police and the initial charge of simple battery, saying the matter never should've been introduced to the mayor's court.
"I believe, and I know from my experience, an arrest is appropriate," Davenport said. "Not a simple summons, which is what we call an arrest on paper. She should have been arrested, brought to jail, photographed, fingerprinted, and booked like all others before her who have been arrested for this kind of crime."
Current District Judge Brian Cespiva was the standing prosecutor when the misdemeanor was originally issued. When Cespiva left his role at the town, Matt Nowlin took up the role of town prosecutor. Nowlin said he transferred the case to the Rapides Parish district attorney after receiving several letters from the father demanding answers and for the charges to be upgraded from a simple misdemeanor to felony cruelty to a juvenile.
For the charge of "cruelty to a juvenile," state law requires there to be proof of "unjustifiable pain or suffering."
"This seems like a failure on the officer's part to understand and properly apply the law. It should have gone straight to district court," Davenport said.
In an email chain between Courtland and the Town of Ball, Lieutenant Grabowski stood by the misdemeanor citation. KALB made several attempts to contact the Town of Ball police for comment, but no statement was provided.
Alongside his demands for accountability, Courtland wants a review of how the Town of Ball handled the case and transparency from officials.
Davenport supported Courtland's argument that a review is warranted, saying police officers have too much discretion.
"There should be a review process of what is charged and how it is charged," Davenport said. "I'm not seeing where that happened here. Somebody should have asked this officer, 'Why did you simply give this lady a ticket and you didn't arrest her?' I know for a fact that in this state, people get arrested for not even having a driver's license on."
KALB contacted the Rapides Parish School Board for comment on the father's lawsuit and the footage; the board declined to comment.
Robertson told KALB she believed the incident was "not that serious" and declined to provide any comment beyond that without speaking with her attorney.
Alongside the lawsuit against RPSB, the father is additionally suing the Town of Ball and the Rapides Parish District Attorney's Office in relation to the handling of the case.
"My child is traumatized; he can't go back to school," Courtland said.