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Florida teacher charged for letting students fight in class
By Staff Writer
April 14, 2023

A 23-year-old middle school teacher in Florida has been arrested for allegedly allowing her students to fight in her classroom during school hours.

Angel Footman, a 6th-grade teacher at Tallahassee’s Griffin Middle School, is facing charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Footage of the fights was discovered by parents who then reported it to school administrators. The Leon County Sheriff’s Office also received a report from a deputy on March 23, which prompted an investigation into the matter.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the videos showed three separate fights that took place while Footman was present. The detective who reviewed the videos reported that Footman was seen sitting on her desk during the fights and making no effort to intervene. Footman could also be heard telling students to “stop pulling hair” and to “no screaming, no nothing” during the fights, only breaking up the fight after it went on for a “brief period.”

Several female students who were identified as partaking in the fights told investigators that the fights were pre-planned and not random. The teacher encouraged these fights and even asked the students if they wanted to come back during her 6th period to “run it back” for a second round of fighting.

The investigation also revealed that the students were called out of their classes to participate in the fights since they were not supposed to be in Footman’s classroom. There is no record of Footman reporting the fights to school administrators, and when questioned, Footman claimed that the fights were spontaneous hence she couldn’t take any action.

Footman turned herself in on April 7 and was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was released from jail and ordered to abstain from alcohol and avoid contact with any of the alleged victims, according to court documents.
This incident has sparked outrage among parents and students, and the school district has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. The case has highlighted the need for clear and effective reporting procedures and strong disciplinary measures to deter teachers and other school officials from engaging in inappropriate behavior or failing to report incidents of violence.

As the case moves forward, more details are expected to emerge about the nature of the fights and Footman’s alleged involvement in them. However, what is already clear is that this incident has had a significant impact on the school community and has underscored the need for vigilance and accountability when it comes to ensuring the safety of students in all educational settings.

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