Family seeking justice in the handcuffing and arrest of 6-year-old Salecia Johnson

The family of Salecia Johnson, the 6-year-old who was handcuffed and arrested at her school for a so-called ‘temper tantrum’ is demanding answers. Salecia was charged with battery and was suspended for the remainder of the school year.

Salecia Johnson incident

On April 13, Salecia was taken to the principal’s office at Creekside Elementary in Baldwin, GA after being involved in an altercation with two other girls who were pushing one another, according to CNN.

A written statement by Baldwin County Schools Superintendent Geneva Braziel described the alleged incident.

Once in the office, Salecia allegedly became “violent and disruptive”. In addition to displaying behavior that included:

• “pushing several other students;
• running away from the school staff;
• slamming chairs around the school office;
• climbing up and knocking over a bookcase;
• knocking pictures off the wall; scribbling over the walls and door; and injuring a school employee,” p

Her mother Constance Ruff says that could have played a role in why she was acting out because her daughter was being disciplined and not the other girls.

The statement also said the school called Salecia Johnson’s emergency contacts. This included Salecia’s parents and Ruff’s sister. Despite the school’s claims they contacted the parents, Ruff says she does not have any records of the phone calls on her phone.

“Our daughter was in police custody for more than an hour before we knew”, states Ruff.

Family demands justice

The family has started a petition, saying their daughter has been traumatized by the event. They also believe the use of police was unnecessary.

“Every time she sees a police officer, she thinks they’re coming to get her.”

In all of this, the most important thing is that this incident does not become anymore of a setback for Salecia and her future. Although we are now being told that Salecia can return to school after a week and there are reports that the charges have been dropped (the police have not notified us), a record of her arrest exists. Also, we believe there should be a more in-depth examination of what happened and why police were brought in to deal with a matter of school discipline.

We are calling on Milledgeville officials to remove any record of Salecia Johnson’s arrest and end the use of police in school discipline.

View the petition on Change.org