Woodbridge Teacher Held Student Upside Down By The Ankles: Police

Woodbridge VA

06 December, 2019

8:42 AM

Description

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A Woodbridge middle school teacher was arrested Dec. 3 for allegedly grabbing an 11-year-old student by the ankles and holding her upside down, resulting in her head striking a nearby desk, according to the Prince William County Police Department. The teacher, Tenkoran Agyeman, 40, was charged with assault and battery against the girl and was released on bond. Agyeman lives in Alexandria and teaches at Rippon Middle School in Woodbridge, part of the Prince William County school system where the incident allegedly occurred. The school system, where Agyeman has worked since September 2010, has placed him on leave, WTOP reported. On Nov. 19, Prince William County police officers began an investigation into the assault, which allegedly took place sometime on Nov. 1 or Nov. 4 in a classroom during school hours. The school's principal, Scott R. Bergquist, sent a letter to parents Dec. 4, the Associated Press reported, saying he was disappointed by the allegation but declining to provide details about the incident. "The safety of our students is our top priority and it is my expectation that all staff act with the utmost professionalism at all times with students," Bergquist wrote. During the incident, the student asked Agyeman to stop, but he did not, Prince William County police spokesman Jonathan Perok told the Associated Press. The student did not immediately report injuries from the incident, but it was recently disclosed, prompting the police to begin their investigation.