– Grace’s Parents to Go Legal With S.D. School System
By Jerromie S. Walters
The parents of Grace B. Jlateh, a female student who was recently arrested on her graduation day contemplate taking legal action against the S.D. School System, for influencing the action against their daughter.
In a viral video, the young female student was seen being handcuffed and escorted by sheriffs from the Brewerville City Court, to the graduation venue (The school auditorium) in Brewerville. The family doesn’t seem to be overlooking this which has caused psychological effects on the child as they contemplate taking legal action against the school. “By tomorrow we are going to know what to do. We are in consultation with the mom and we are working on something and I think by tomorrow we will be coming up with something before getting to the court.”
Family sources informed this paper that while preparing for her graduation on Saturday, September 20, 2024, Grace was arrested and handcuffed at her residence by sheriffs from the Brewerville City Court, following a complaint filed by the Principal of S.D. School System who’s so far identified as “Kollie”.
According to them, the sheriffs informed them that “Kollie” complained that Geace’s sister reportedly insulted the school’s principal mother. What baffles the family is that Grace’s sister who the school reported to have committed the act, was not bothered but only the young graduate. “This is what that is confusing us because I am like the person that you and them had this confusion she was the one that you people should have asked. It’s so traumatizing.”
“Actually he charged $USD125 for graduation and then the $USD125 was paid. He now came on Friday [when the kid went for her gown] he said another $USD10 should be paid so we said to him that the $USD10 was not there. In fact, the Education Ministry said we should pay $USD100. It was not we that went [It was her earlier sister that went] so in that conversation he got angry and said he could give the gown. Community dwellers came around and begged to give the gown. By 6:00 PM, the meeting started, and he gave the gown by 8:00 PM [in the night] this gone Friday. We all felt that it was done but then Saturday morning, by 8:00 AM, two sheriffs now entered with the principal and the principal said that these people insulted my mom, they should go, especially graduate [she should go] and that’s how she wore her uniform and the gown they got in his car [they drove out] and the sheriffs place handcuff on her.”
She said, “They went on the campus and tried to beg but there was no way out. As you can see from that video, there was no way out. They handcuffed her from the house, they went to the school the handcuff left on her they went to the court.” The family hailed the judge at the Brewerville City Court who upon seeing the student in handcuff, insisted that she be released. “He asked who placed this handcuff on this child. That’s how the judge started asking, he got so angry and he requested the handcuff off the child’s hands.” The judge later frowned on the principal for his action and mandated that they proceed with the graduation and return on Monday.
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, a reassignment was scheduled for next Tuesday, for their appearance at the Brewerville City Court.
S.D. School System clarifies:
Upon the video being published, a lady who claims to be the Principal of the S.D. School System Deeann Miraj Kouyateh said circumstances leading to the incident began with a misunderstanding over the return of a graduation gown. However, the family says they don’t know Ms. Kouyateh to be The principal of the school.
But in her response on behalf of the school, Kouyateh noted that Grace B. Jlateh had reportedly received her graduation souvenirs but was required to leave a USD 10.00 deposit as collateral for the gown. This deposit was to be refunded upon the gown’s return.
Following the graduation, Jlateh and her sisters allegedly confronted her (Kouyateh) in her office, where they reportedly hurled insults and made threats to disrupt the graduation ceremony. In response to the escalating situation, she sought legal recourse, leading her to the court to issue a writ.
While on her way to identify the individuals involved, Kouyateh said she encountered Jlateh on the street, dressed casually. After identifying the students, she was instructed by a sheriff to return to the school campus. However, upon returning, she witnessed Jlateh in handcuffs. Kouyateh reportedly expressed her immediate concern, demanding the release of Jlateh, asserting that the student had not committed any offense warranting such treatment. However, this contradicts the family statement. Deeann Miraj Kouyateh has also declined to make further comment on the matter.
