Teacher accused of verbal abuse of teen

A DeKalb County high school teacher was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged verbal abuse cited by a student’s mother, Channel 2 Action News reported.

The mother, who asked Channel 2 to remain anonymous, said her 18-year-old son tried to take his own life after the alleged abuse.

A representative for the DeKalb County School District told the news station the Lithonia High School teacher “has been placed on administrative leave with pay pending the conclusion of the investigation,” but would not comment on specific allegations. The news station did not name the teacher because he has not been charged in the incident.

The mother told Channel 2 she filed a complaint with the school district after her son was allegedly approached by the teacher after 3 p.m. dismissal, while he was waiting for his younger brother to be released.

“He said, ‘Get your (expletive) up and move. And (my son) was like, ‘No, I’m not going to move. I’m going to wait for my brother,’” the mother said. “That’s when (the teacher) proceeded to point and walk behind him, calling him gay and talking about his pants tight.”

The mother said her son was so upset that he locked himself inside his bedroom and attempted to take his own life, Channel 2 reported.

“He has tried to commit suicide. He had taken sleeping pills,” the mother said. “He’s not the same right now. He’s afraid.”

She rushed him to a nearby hospital after the alleged suicide attempt, and he’s since been released, the news station reported.

The mother said he’s receiving professional help and although he returned to school Friday, she’s looking to send him to a new school or possibly home school him.