A Cobb County paraprofessional is on administrative leave after being arrested Thursday at the middle school where he works.
Anthony Taylor is accused of “pushing downward” on a child’s neck with his hands before escorting the child to a Garrett Middle School classroom with a “grip on the neck” of the student, according to arrest warrants obtained by Channel 2 Action News.
Taylor isn’t allowed on the Austell school’s campus amid the investigation, Channel 2 reported. Details on what happened before Taylor allegedly put his hands on the child were not released, and it’s unclear whether the student was hurt.
Middle School parapro arrested: He’s 6’2, 250 pounds. Police say he put his hands around a child’s neck at school. Now his job may be on the line, Live starting at 5. @wsbtv pic.twitter.com/glPJ8Q86Gi
— Chris Jose (@ChrisJoseWSB) October 11, 2019
A Cobb County School District spokesperson sent AJC.com a statement that said: “It has been alleged that a staff member made a poor choice earlier this week and is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. We are following district policy to maintain the safety and security of our school and students — our highest priority.”
A similarly worded letter was sent to parents of students at the school. Multiple parents told Channel 2 they want Taylor fired.
“It’s not OK,” Angelia Craig said. “If you don’t want to work around children — if you can’t control yourself working around children, you shouldn’t be doing it.”
Taylor, who has bonded out of jail, has not responded to the news station’s requests for comment.
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