Montgomery middle school investigates students' strip-search claims
Montgomery, AL
Search occurred after a male student was allegedly found with marijuana in the school’s bathroom
The Montgomery County public school system has launched an investigation after a group of students objected to a mandatory strip search at Bellingrath Middle School last week.
The search occurred Friday after a male student was allegedly found with marijuana in the school’s bathroom.
“An investigation is underway regarding a search of a yet to be determined number of male students at Bellingrath Middle School last Friday. Three MPS employees involved in the incident were reportedly following up on a tip that one or more students may have brought illegal substances to school,” read a statement from MPS.
“Appropriate measures have been taken concerning the employees while the investigation continues,” the statement continued.
Felicia Franklin said she felt defenseless and guilty after her son told her he was one of the boys strip searched.“ These past few days have been a nightmare,” said Franklin after her questions to the school’s staff went unanswered. “I had no control over what happened, no one called me and I feel guilty that I could not protect my son. I couldn’t stop it.”
After school Friday, Franklin’s son told her that he was stripped and searched. She was shocked when he told her the whole story. She told her husband and they filed a formal complaint.
Franklin said the search was conducted after two of her son’s classmates were found with marijuana in the bathroom. A teacher came in, smelled the marijuana and asked the boys to empty their pockets. A bag of the substance was found and a security officer was called to handcuff the two boys, Franklin said.
Back in the classroom, all male students were asked to leave with the teacher and a security guard and undress in an empty classroom across the hall.
“They took them and my son across the hall and told them to take off all their clothes except their boxers and socks,” Franklin said. “After the search they were told to put their clothes back on and return to class. By that time is was time for second period.”
Franklin said she has not been contacted by anyone at the school about the incident and has visited the school several times since then demanding answers.
“I finally broke down and started crying to my son’s counselor,” Franklin said. “All I’m asking for is communication. I don’t even know what happened Friday. I’m only going by what my child has told me.”
School staff said they could not comment, because of the pending investigation, Franklin said.