TALLAHASSEE - A Leon County man sued the Florida A&M University Developmental Research School after a staff member allegedly traumatized a child by putting him in a chokehold.
The complaint was filed April 23 in Leon County Circuit Court by plaintiff Antawan Debose, whose minor son ZH was a student at the school on April 25, 2017, in a class instructed by defendant Vincente Parkey. According to the complaint, ZH was putting away basketballs on a rack when Parkey suddenly came up behind him and placed him in a chokehold.
Debose says his son suffered severe physical and emotional distress at the incident and, despite the alleged physical assault having been reported to the police and the school's administration, no remedial or disciplinary action was taken.
With Parkey remaining employed at the school, ZH ultimately transferred to go to school elsewhere.
According to the suit, Parkey has a history of physical assault against the students.
The defendants are charged with assault and battery, negligent hiring, supervision, training and retention, vicarious liability and negligence,
Debose and his son are represented by Seymore Justice of Tallahassee.