MIAMI (WSVN) - After his son was attacked by a school security guard, a father has announced plans to sue the Miami-Dade Public Schools system.
Jeffrey Williams’ 14-year-old son attended Miami Norland Senior High School when security guard Torien Austin allegedly body slammed and punched the student multiple times.
“He was punched, slammed, cursed at and physically abused by a grown man,” Williams said. “I’m not going to tolerate that as his father.”
Austin was fired from the school system and arrested on charges of child abuse in December.
“The manner in which the security guard dealt with the situation is not OK,” Williams’ family attorney Jasmine Rand said.
Holding a press conference with his attorney present on Friday morning, Williams announced that he will sue M-DCPS alleging that they did not do enough to protect his son.
Williams explained that his son was in trouble for selling chips and candy on school grounds.
“I send my child to school,” said the father. “I trust the school to take care of him and protect him, and if there’s an issue with him, I expect the school to call me and not take matters into their own hands to be physical with him. I can’t believe that he had to endure that. I feel terrible that he had to endure that, and as his father, it’s my job to protect him. I feel like my son was violated, and I am deeply disturbed.”
A student who witnessed the alleged attack spoke to 7News.
“I managed to see one good pop and blow,” the student said.
His attorney also spoke about the looming lawsuit at the conference.
“For failing to intervene and protect Mr. Williams’ 14-year-old son and for failing to ensure that children are safe while they are in their care at school,” Rand said.
The father also said that other school administrators saw the alleged attack and did nothing to stop it.
Austin’s arraignment was scheduled for Friday, but it was moved to Jan. 25.
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools System released a statement to 7News:
“The school district took immediate action upon learning of this alleged incident, terminating the individual’s employment and precluding him from ever being hired by Miami-Dade Public Schools. Because of pending legal action, no further comment is available at this time.”
Williams hopes for a successful outcome to the alleged incident.
“I definitely feel violated, and I’m not satisfied with what the school did,” he said. “It’s not enough for me, and I want justice for my son.”
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