News Summary
A Florence mother claims she was subjected to an unnecessary escalation during a routine school pickup. Antoinette Eaddy described an altercation with a security officer that left her feeling hurt and humiliated. Following the incident, the school district has dismissed the officer involved and a warrant for his arrest is currently outstanding. The event has raised serious questions about school security protocols and the treatment of parents during school pickups.
Florence Woman Claims Harsh Treatment by School Security Officer
In a shocking turn of events at Greenwood Elementary School in Florence, a mother is speaking out after what she describes as an _unnecessary escalation_ during a routine pickup of her daughter and nephew. Antoinette Eaddy was left _hurt and humiliated_ following an incident that has raised eyebrows and sparked outrage among community members.
What Happened That Day?
On a typical day after school, Eaddy arrived at Greenwood Elementary to collect her kids, only to find out that she had missed the cutoff time. A school official informed her that she was too late to sign them out, as the cut-off time was allegedly set for 1:30 PM. However, Eaddy stood her ground, asserting that the real cutoff time was actually 1:45 PM, according to what she learned from the district office.
When Eaddy attempted to voice her concerns and discuss the matter further, she was met with lack of cooperation from school staff who dismissed her requests. They directed her to leave the premises. Complying with their request, Eaddy turned to exit, but that’s when things took a dramatic and unsettling turn.
Confrontation with Security
As Eaddy walked away, a school security officer confronted her, claiming that she was not moving quickly enough. In a matter of moments, the situation escalated quickly. Eaddy found herself physically restrained as the officer allegedly _flung her against the wall_ and attempted to handcuff her. In an unfortunate twist, Eaddy was on the phone with her sister during the incident, leaving one of her hands occupied and complicating the officer’s efforts.
The security officer reportedly slammed her to the ground, pressing down on her head as she struggled to breathe. Eaddy described feeling overwhelmed by the officer’s weight, stating that while she weighs just 114 pounds, the officer was somewhere between 200 and 300 pounds. It’s hard to imagine the fear and pain she must have felt in that moment.
The Call for Help
While this altercation unfolded, Eaddy’s sister, Makisha Cooper, was still on the other end of the line. Hearing the chaos and distress, she instinctively dialed 911, prompting law enforcement’s involvement. By the time deputies arrived on the scene, the security officer had managed to place one handcuff on Eaddy, depicting a scene of confusion and chaos.
A Community’s Reaction
Florence One Schools officials responded to the incident, stating that their security officer had repeatedly asked Eaddy to vacate the area, but things escalated to an unmanageable level. The school has since taken action, dismissing the officer involved in the incident and promising to assign an entirely new security presence at Greenwood Elementary.
As of now, the Florence County Sheriff’s Office announced that there is an outstanding warrant for the security officer’s arrest, which has brought some relief to Eaddy. She expressed a sense of vindication, thankful that accountability is being pursued regarding what she describes as an excessively violent interaction sparked by a simple misunderstanding during a school pickup.
Lessons Learned
This incident has left many in the community questioning the standard protocols and _use of force_ in schools, particularly when it comes to handling parents and guardians trying to pick up their children. Eaddy reiterated her disbelief that something as innocuous as picking up her child could lead to such a traumatic confrontation, marking a troubling chapter for families engaging with the school system.
As families in Florence discuss this event, many are left wondering how to best advocate for their rights while ensuring the safety and well-being of their children. The hope is that from this unfortunate event, lessons will be learned, changes will be made, and everyone can enjoy a _safer, more understanding_ school environment.
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Additional Resources
- WPDE: Florence Woman Claims Harsh Treatment by School Security Officer
- WMBF News: Security Officer Involved in Shooting
- WHNT: Kentucky Man Accused of Pretending to Be Florence Teen’s Father
- WAFF: Florence City Schools Security Plan Update
- WBTW: Florence 1 Schools Approves Budget for Security Measures
- Wikipedia: School Security
- Google Search: Florence schools security incident
- Google Scholar: School Security Protocols
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Safety
- Google News: Florence school incident
