A Fort Valley Middle School teacher, Aja Ellis, has been arrested and charged with simple battery following an alleged physical altercation with a student, according to an incident report from the Peach County Sheriff’s Office.
The report states that Ellis grabbed the student’s hair and possibly broke their necklace after the student refused to share personal information in front of a student teacher from Fort Valley State University. Ellis allegedly insisted that the student open up, claiming she was trying to connect them with a good role model.
However, when the student declined, Ellis reportedly pulled their hair and shared private details about them. Video footage reviewed by authorities showed Ellis speaking to the student, then grabbing a handful of their hair.
During an interview with deputies, Ellis admitted that she “probably did” grab the student’s hair but denied cursing at them. She stated that she was explaining the student’s situation rather than reprimanding them.
Ellis was arrested on January 29 and booked into the Peach County Jail. Authorities are investigating, and the Peach County School District has yet to comment on her employment status.
