Legal action

teacher’s classroom to get water so she could take her medication. Davis said the other teacher regularly provides Francois water when she takes her medication.

Davis said Francois encountered the school’s resource officer in the doorway of a second classroom, and the officer proceeded to physically and verbally assault Francois.

The events immediately leading up to the altercation remain unclear. Davis said the officer made a comment about Francois wearing headphones in school.

Francois declined to comment during the press conference. Moore said Francois is still in shock and seeking counseling following the incident.

Davis did say that the officer pulled Francois’ hair resulting in a bald spot. Davis also said the officer choked Francois and yelled in her face.

“(Francois is) your typical teenager,” Davis said. “She’s not disrespectful, and she never had a problem.”

Moore announced that he will file lawsuits against the school and the city, since he said the officer was a city employee.

Moore also said there is video footage of the incident, which the Nichols Middle School principal has seen. Moore said he is in the process of obtaining the footage.

Francois has not returned to school since the incident. Davis said she is planning to send her daughter to a different school next school year starting in fall 2024. Francois has plans to return to Nichols Middle School before the current school year ends in May.

Canton Public Schools failed to elaborate on the incident by time of publication.

Got a news tip? Contact Mary Boyte at mboyte@jackson.gannett.com