Anthony Ruelas, 15, said his classmate was "wheezing and gagging for three minutes" when his teacher said everyone should stay calm and wait for a reply email from the nurse in response to the situation, KCEN reports. Ruelas said he knew that his friend "needed help," which is why he decided to pick her up and carry her to the office.

According to KCEN, the teacher's referral said that a student was having an asthma attack and the nurse was notified via email. When the student fell out of her chair, Ruelas went over and said "We ain't got time to wait for no email from the nurse" and picked the student up and walked out of the classroom.

Ruelas' mother, Mandy Cortes, said her son has previously been suspended from school so she was quick to dismiss his claims.

"No, they already told me what happened. You walked out of class," Cortes told her son. "And he was like, 'Ok, forget it', but I could tell he was upset," she told KCEN.

The school district said it was investigating the matter.

Read more at KCEN.

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Sheree Smith (left) casts her ballot at Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta on Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. In addition to municipal races for mayors, city councils and school board members, this year’s election also will decide the members of the Georgia Public Service Commission. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

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A person exits the Wolf Creek Library in Atlanta after casting his ballot during election day on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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