Teacher in video says he tried to restrain, not tackle, boy

Published January 30, 2018

An Ohio high school teacher who tackled a student in a classroom conflict recorded on cellphone video says he felt threatened and was only trying to restrain the boy.

The Canton Repository reports 48-year-old Kenneth Weatherbee resigned in January after being suspended pending a Canton district investigation and says he regrets what happened.

The Dec. 4 video shows Weatherbee touching the arm of a male student, who pulls away. Weatherbee then wraps his arm around the student's neck and takes him to the floor.

Weatherbee's attorney hasn't publicly commented, but an investigation file includes Weatherbee's comments to school officials. He said he intervened because one student threatened another and ignored attempts to deescalate the situation.

The superintendent called Weatherbee's behavior "disturbing."

A call to a phone listing under Weatherbee's name rang unanswered Tuesday.

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Information from: The Repository, http://www.cantonrep.com

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/us/teacher-in-video-says-he-tried-to-restrain-not-tackle-boy