PITTSBURGH — Leah Manson says her 9-year-old daughter was in the classroom last week when teacher Janice Watkins allegedly took a 10-year-old girl's cell phone.
But what happened next had Manson calling Channel 11.
“It's not my child's place to know or tell who’s at fault at this situation,” Manson said. “We should've got the heads up before anything.”
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Manson says her daughter sat with detectives and gave a written statement about what she saw, but Manson was never called.
“I should've been there been by her side,” Manson said. “Is it OK for your daughter to write a statement? Because I don't want her to testify under the court.”
The attack on Watkins is one of three violent incidents at King pre-K-8 school in the last week.
“Yeah, it's a little scary,” Manson said. “Pittsburgh King is a tough school. Kids come from tough neighborhoods.”
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third assault in recent weeks
On Thursday morning, Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet acknowledged the problems and vowed to change it.
“We don't condone this,” he said. “Some kids come to school with so many issues.”
He promised support for both kids and teachers.
In the meantime, Manson worries her daughter could be called to testify in court.
“Both parties want justice, and I can understand and respect that, but my daughter should have no place in that situation,” she said.
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