Sunday's Internet Edition, May 11, 2008.
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According to a Thomasville Police report, the student reported to Principal Georgia Marshall that 63-year-old Herbert Ray Jones had assaulted him in the sixth-grade bathroom on March 20. Reached by phone Wednesday afternoon, Jones said “no comment” when asked of his involvement in the matter.
The student’s parents provided the Thomasville Times with a statement from their child, whose name is not published because of his age.
“When I was using the bathroom and when I had finished, I went to the sink to wash my hands,” the student alleged in the statement. “The custodian came in and said, ‘I don’t want any paper towels or anything on the floor.’ Then he said, ‘That’s enough,’ and hit me on the butt. Then I had turned my head and looked at him and he was standing there smiling at me. Then [when] I had started to walk away he grabbed me on my butt and then the custodian washed his hands at the same sink.”
Associate Superintendent James Carmichael said an investigation is underway, but would not comment when asked if the school employee had been suspended, citing personnel laws. Carmichael said Jones has been employed with the school system for more than two years.
“We are investigating every complaint that we get, one way or another,” Carmichael said. “Where there is justification, we are taking whatever action that is necessary to make sure every child is safe. We have had some instances in the past where there were some allegations made that didn’t pan out.”
Assistant Superintendent Keith Tobin was very brief in his comments during a phone interview because of the pending investigation.
“Anytime we have word that there has been an inappropriate action or anything taken like that, we fully investigate it,” Tobin said. “We take it very seriously. Once our investigation is complete, we will make a determination on what way to go.”
Lt. Raymond Widener of the Thomasville Police Department said Monday an investigation by his law enforcement agency is ongoing concerning the matter.
The student’s father, Hollis Jones III, is outraged the incident occurred.
“If we can’t get police to press charges,” the father said. “Then we are going to consult with a lawyer.”
Staff Writer Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 231, or ignasiak@tvilletimes.com.