New Charge for Former JMCSS Educator Accused of Hitting Student
JACKSON, Tenn. – Wednesday morning, former Jackson-Madison County teaching assistant Alvin Wilson was officially charged with a misdemeanor. He is accused of slapping an 8-year-old special needs student. After an inquiry by WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, Jackson police are upgrading that misdemeanor to a felony. After looking at the case, Jackson attorney Michael Weinman said the misdemeanor charge did not fit. Tennessee state law says the assault of anyone eight years old or younger is a Class-D felony. Jacob Reid is eight years old. “In a situation where a child is abused by an adult and there is an injury inflicted upon the child, it can be considered child abuse ,” Weinman said. Late Wednesday, WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News presented Jackson police with what we had uncovered. Officers are now amending the charge. This will require Wilson to turn himself in again and make another court appearance. Both will likely occur on Friday. Jacob’s family was furious that the original misdemeanor charge against Wilson would not prevent him from working with children in the future. “We want him off the streets,” said Gabrielle Currie, Jacob’s sister. “To be put away so another child wont be hurt by Mr. Wilson,” Wilson told investigators Jacob hit another student with markers. When he intervened, Wilson said Jacob spit on him and that is when he hit the student in the face. “It doesn’t matter what Jacob did that day in class,” Currie said. “Jacob is a special child. Jacob has disabilities. It doesn’t matter those kids needs special attention.” Despite the incident Jacob is happy and recovering. The stiffer charge now carries a two to four year prison sentence.
