Chicago School Assistant Faces Felony Charges for Alleged Chokehold Assault on Child
A special education assistant in Chicago has been formally charged with aggravated battery after allegedly putting an eight-year-old boy in a chokehold, dragging him, and violently slamming him to the ground, causing severe injuries. The incident, which occurred at Parker Elementary School on the city's South Side, has sparked outrage and raised serious questions about student safety protocols.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to prosecutors, 44-year-old Tamika Odeh committed the assault on November 3rd inside Parker Elementary School. The criminal complaint states that Odeh placed the young boy in a chokehold before throwing him forcefully to the ground. During this violent act, the child's head struck a chair, resulting in what authorities describe as "serious neck injuries" including ligament damage.
A Chicago Police Department report provides additional disturbing details, noting that Odeh dragged the eight-year-old out of the school lunchroom prior to the physical assault. The victim required immediate medical attention following the incident and continues to undergo physical therapy more than three months later, indicating the severity of his injuries.
Legal Proceedings and School Response
Odeh was arrested and charged on Tuesday with aggravated battery of a child younger than 13 causing great bodily harm. During a court hearing on Wednesday, the presiding judge denied the state's detention petition, allowing Odeh to be released under specific conditions. She has been ordered to stay away from the victim, his family, and any individuals under the age of 18.
Parker Elementary School took disciplinary action four days after the alleged incident, removing Odeh from duty on November 7th. A Chicago Public Schools spokesperson emphasized the district's commitment to safety in a statement, saying: "The safety and well-being of our staff and students is a top priority at Chicago Public Schools and a foundational condition for our school communities."
The statement continued: "As a District, we take seriously our responsibility to protect the safety of our staff, students and families and to ensure fidelity with our District policies and procedures to support the highest operational, academic, ethical and safety standards."
Serious Legal Consequences
Under Illinois law, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm to a child under 13 constitutes a Class X felony, the most serious category of offenses in the state. If convicted, Odeh faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, with a maximum penalty of 60 years imprisonment. Those convicted of Class X felonies are typically ineligible for parole, meaning Odeh could potentially spend decades behind bars if found guilty.
Odeh is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday for further proceedings. The case has drawn attention to broader concerns about student safety in Chicago schools, particularly following another disturbing incident in 2022 when a special needs teacher and aide were captured on video assaulting a 14-year-old boy with learning difficulties. That teacher was subsequently fired and convicted of battery.
Chicago Public Schools has emphasized its proactive approach to preventing physical abuse, stating: "The District proactively works to prevent physical abuse and our system continually works to educate leaders, faculty and students about how to report it." However, this latest incident raises questions about the effectiveness of these measures in protecting vulnerable students.
The case continues to develop as both legal proceedings and internal school investigations move forward, with the community watching closely for accountability and systemic changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
