Teen complains of beating attacked by teacher, classmates

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Authorities are investigating a teenager’s claims that he was beaten by a teacher and several classmates at Christ First Christian Academy on Tuesday after he began arguing with the principal's daughter. Most shockingly, the boy claims that the principal egged on his attackers.

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The version of events offered by Claude and his family differs in key aspects from that given by the school’s principal and her attorney. But they agree on this much: The trouble started Tuesday morning, when the daughter of Principal Yashica Jordan tossed a pen or pencil toward another student seated near Claude, who was almost hit by the writing instrument. According to Claude’s mother, Shoria Foy, and her attorney, Hester Hilliard, Claude told Jordan’s daughter, “You almost hit me,” which prompted the girl to challenge him to “stand up and do something about it.”

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Foy said the daughter then tried to hit Claude, and he grabbed the girl’s arms in an attempt to push her to the side, but she fell.

That's when all hell broke loose, according to Foy. Classmates “jumped” Claude, punching him and kicking him while holding him down, Foy said.

Foy claimed the teacher — Jeannette “Jigga” Foucher — returned and punched Claude in the eye. Foy said her son tried to crawl to a corner, but Foucher picked him up and slammed him on his back.

Jordan at one point entered the classroom, assessed what was going on, and told the children to “beat that ho up,” referring to Claude, Foy said. They finally let him go when he said he couldn’t breathe, she said.

Jordan, for her part, said Claude cursed at her daughter and punched her in retaliation for throwing the pen or pencil. Jordan said her daughter, who takes boxing lessons as a hobby, fought back, and Claude picked her up, slammed her on the floor and held her there.

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Jordan claimed she is also a cousin of Claude’s, suggesting the dispute could be a family beef blown out of proportion. But Foy denied any familial relationship, saying her husband’s cousin simply grew up with Jordan. A woman who described herself as the school’s attorney, Janelle Rainey, said the school now has no choice but to tell the police that they should arrest Claude for battering two employees and a student. Rainey said as many as 50 students are willing to back up that account as witnesses.

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