May 16, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga -- Richmond County Board of Education Officers investigating one of their own after a 14 year-old-girl claims an officer injured her Thursday at Bungalow Road Alternative School.

The incident happened Thursday morning after the victim says the officer threw her to the ground after an altercation and argument that began with him getting upset with her for not taking off her jacket in time. The girl, Chryshayla Bell, says jackets are not allowed at the school, and neither are bookbags. She claims she was juggling books and trying to get her jacket off when the argument began. Bell admits to "cussing out" the officer during the altercation.

News 12 caught up with the girl and her mother at the Board of Education Thursday afternoon while they were filling out statements. Our cameras caught the girl's bruises and cuts on her arm and shoulder. Injuries Chryshayla Bell says were caused by the officer when he forced her to the ground and tried to handcuff her. "My momma never put a bruise on me or none of her children, so why should he? I never even touch him."

Chryshayla's mother, Jaquelyn Hammond, tells News 12 she wants the officer removed from the school. "This man weighs probably 300 pounds, my child probably ain't even 80 something pounds and he do her like this? No, it's uncalled for."

BOE's Public Safety Director, Chief Julia Stein says the incident is under investigation and that the officer also had marks and abrasions as well.

News 12 is witholding the name of the officer because he has not yet been charged.

Cheif Stein says her department is collecting interviews from witnesses and also reviewing the officer's statement of the events. The officer is still on the job pending the outcome of the investigation according to Chief Stein.

News 12 will continue to follow this story as the investigation continues.