Aunt Spanks Nephew In Front Of Classmates

WRC-TV
7:38 p.m. EST February 27, 2007

LANHAM, Md. - Prince George's County school officials are trying to determine what prompted a woman to spank her nephew in front of his classmates at a charter school in Lanham, Md.

The incident occurred Friday in a second-grade classroom at the Turning Point Academy.

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On Friday, Paula Reitan's daughter and three classmates told her that the aunt came into the classroom, pulled the boy's pants down and spanked him.

"The aunt came, made the child pull his pants down, pulled his underpants down, and in front of the entire class -- and unfortunately my daughter had a front view of this poor boy -- whipped him with a belt," Reitan said.

Reitan told News4's Jane Watrel that the teacher was in the classroom and the principal knew about the beating.

Reitan said she sent an e-mail to a Prince George's County School Board member but was told that the School Board has no jurisdiction over the school.

"So I did some research and discovered that I really do believe that the School Board does have the legal and moral obligation to investigate this," Reitan said.

The school district is investigating now. Though Turning Point Academy is attached to Trinity Assembly of God, taxpayers pay the teachers.

"Certainly if there is a reason to contact social services regarding an adult's actions, we would do that," said schools spokesman John White. "If one of our employees did not act appropriately, than disciplinary action would follow there, as well."

The charter school's principal said the boy's teacher did not participate or have knowledge of what was about to happen.

Kenneth Jones said the boy's aunt would write a letter of apology to the parents of students who were in the class.

While corporal punishment is banned in Maryland public schools, the law allows a parent to discipline a child as long as it is not excessive or unreasonable.

On Monday, the school's principal sent a note home to parents noting that the incident was a family matter that should not have occurred at the school.

Sadly this sounds like almost a classic carbon copy case of how to create a sexual pervert!The boy and onlookers all need to have counselling and teh Aunt held responsible for any psychological or sexual-problems they may have as a result of her action throughout the remainder of their earthly lives!
Not a light responsibility.I hope the Aunt has plenty of money?
Or perhaps she could agree to having her pants taken down in front
of class and given 24 hard ones with a adult size belt instead????
Boo Hoo !

From an outsider looking in,I feel the Aunt is guilty of a grave error in judgement. Whether she tried to embarrass her nephew or it was on impulse, there is a time and place for everything.

Whether it was excessively enforced would be a different kettle of fish and a matter for Social Services to investigate.

I don't think the school has much to answer for and if the aunt has written to the parents and school board aplogising for her outburst and the Principal has written to parents regarding the matter then what more can be done?

At the end of the day it comes down to a family incident and should be treated as such. Perhaps a letter from the school board reprimanding the aunt may be an appropriate action.

I firmly believe all teachers should have the right to spank their students on the bare bottom. This is for preschool and elementary teachers only. No teacher should ever spank a child in front of the class or let a parent do it. That is too embarrassing and too humiliating to a child.