PITTSBURGH (KDKA/CNN) – The mother of a 4th grader is facing charges in connection with the violent assault of her daughter’s elementary school teacher, who was hit with a brick and beaten.
School teacher Janice Watkins confiscated the cell phone of a 4th grade girl Wednesday because the school district has a “no cell phone” policy.
The child allegedly bit Watkins while she was confiscating the phone, so the girl’s mother, 29-year-old Dai’Shonta Williams, was called to the school.
During a meeting between Williams, Watkins and the student, the child claimed Watkins had choked her, at which point Williams became agitated and allegedly told the teacher she was “going to get even.”
Investigators say as Watkins was stopped in traffic on the drive home, she noticed a black male and female – the latter of whom she later identified as Williams – get out of their vehicle.
The woman approached Watkins’ car and allegedly threw a brick through her open driver’s side window. Watkins was struck in the head. She says after she was hit, the woman opened her door, dragged her out into the road and began punching and kicking her.
The victim's mother says the woman said to her daughter, "I told you that I would get you."
The man and woman then fled the scene.
Police arrested Williams, who was arraigned Thursday on six charges: three counts of aggravated assault and one count each of terroristic threats, stalking and reckless endangerment. She was unable to post the $50,000 bail and was taken to jail.
Williams told police she believed school police did not take appropriate action regarding her daughter’s claim that Watkins choked her. She denied throwing a brick but said she did punch Watkins in the face.
The victim’s husband says his wife is in a lot of pain, is having severe headaches and may have a concussion. She was treated for facial injuries at the hospital and also lost a tooth in the incident.
He says he’s worried for his wife and family’s safety, and it’s unclear if Watkins will be returning to her job at the school.
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