Parent voices concern after alleged strip search of JCM students
JACKSON, Tenn. — A concerned parent reached out to us following an alleged situation involving her son and other students.
This all stems from a Facebook post that was shared regarding JCM football players allegedly being strip searched due to missing money.
We went to Wednesday’s meeting where the situation was supposed to be addressed, however, we were not allowed inside because it was private.
Now, one parent is voicing her concern.
“The initial responsibility is to the coach. After the coaches, and the principal, and everybody found out about it, then it becomes the school’s issue and the school’s fault. At first, I’m angry, but at the same time I’m hurt. I’m hurt for my kids and any other child that had to stand in a room and take their clothes off,” said Tenisha Kelly, mom of JCM football player.
After a student claimed their money was missing, law enforcement was called in. Kelly shares that the Jackson Police Department searched backpacks and the locker room at the request of the parent whose child’s money was missing.
She claims coaches then began searching the players.
“They stripped them kids down — they left just their top shirts on, but all their bottom parts had to come off, but that’s not right,” said Kelly.
Kelly shares her son did not make her aware of the incident, instead, a social media post did. She says her son is embarrassed of the situation.
According to Kelly, during the meeting the principal says she was made aware of the situation on Tuesday afternoon.
“If the incident never hit social media I don’t think I would’ve ever knew about it or maybe I would’ve knew about it later on down the line. I feel like they tried to sweep the situation under the rug,” said Kelly.
After this incident, she says something else happened.
“Today they had several of the students — I don’t know if they had them one-by-one — calling them in the room asking them questions about the incident,” said Kelly.
According to Kelly, during the meeting the principal shared with parents that a coach was suspended and sent home until the investigation was concluded.
“A lot of the parents are asking me what steps I am going to take and I told them, ‘As far as me standing with the parents, I’m standing with the parents. We’re standing in unity’,” said Kelly.
Kelly says she was told by school leaders the missing money has not been found. We reached out to Jackson-Madison County School System leaders who had no comment. However, they did tell us this situation is under investigation.
Kelly tells us she is unsure if her son will continue to play after this incident.
For more news in the Jackson area, click here.
