Riverdale Schools teacher hires lawyer after caught on video gra - WFSB 3 Connecticut

The Riverdale Schools teacher caught on camera confronting kindergartner Ian Nelson has hired a lawyer to fight what could be brought against her.

It is video we brought you Tuesday May 13 that people are talking about in northwest Ohio and all over the country. A surveillance camera caught kindergarten teacher Barb Williams confronting six-year-old Ian. She put him up against the wall and grabbed him not only by the face but also by the shirt.

A sheriff's deputy said he visited Ian's father at their home in Wharton Wednesday May 14 and has opened an investigation that could lead to possible criminal charges. This video will be a big part of that probe. If the sheriff's office believes charges are warranted, it will forward the case to the prosecuting attorney, Mark Miller.

Ian's father told us his son and Williams were not getting along well in class, but is still upset that Williams received only a 10-day suspension.

"I put my trust in the education system to do education, not discipline. Discipline? You call me. I can come to the school, I can take care of the situation and I can assess the situation and see how bad things are," said Anthony Nelson.

Superintendent Eric Hoffman said he has apologized to the parents for the teacher's actions but he stands by his decision on the 10-day suspension.

"Well any time parents send us their children, you know, we want to take care of them and it is unfortunate that it did happen. But after it happened, we're dealing with it as we move through the process," said Hoffman.

A family member of Williams said no one would be speaking, but she has hired an attorney from Toledo: Christine Reardon.

Parents on the school campus and around Mount Blanchard said Williams was a well-liked teacher. Others sent us emails supporting her, but they didn't outweigh the ones calling for her to be fired.

Thursday May 15 the Hancock County Sheriff's office got their hands on the video. The sheriff said our station got wind of the story before they did. Deputies took a statement from the parents Wednesday.

The sheriff says it could be Monday May 19 or Tuesday May 20 before their investigation is completed and handed over to the prosecutor. The school says they are waiting to determine further punishment until the investigation is wrapped up.

Related: ONLY ON: Teacher caught on video grabbing kindergartner by face

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