By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS

Tribune Staff Reporter

lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CHINIKA Louisius says her fourth-grade son was left humiliated and in pain after a police officer allegedly beat him in front of his classmates, leaving him unable to sleep on his back for days.

Speaking to The Tribune yesterday, she recalled the moment she found out about the ordeal, which happened on Tuesday, January 28.

“When I came home, I found him lying on his stomach. He was embarrassed because it happened in front of the entire classroom. He couldn’t wait to come home that day, and he was crying,” she said.

“For three days, he had to sleep on his stomach because of the pain. He couldn’t sit down unless he was on Tylenol, and even then, the pain would return when it wore off.”

Ms Louisius said the beating happened after her son’s former teacher singled him out along with another student.

She claimed the officer first questioned the other boy about his GPA. Upon hearing it was 1.55, he allegedly struck him eight times. He then accused her son of being rude.

When the child said he didn’t know why, the officer allegedly hit him ten times with a black police cane.

Photos of the boy’s injuries show extensive bruising. Ms Louisius said doctors at Princess Margaret Hospital confirmed tissue damage. Her son remained in severe pain for days.

Police confirmed last week that the matter is under investigation, with the incident reigniting public outrage and debate over corporal punishment in schools.

However, Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) president Belinda Wilson downplayed the matter, suggesting it had been exaggerated.

She also urged parents to distinguish between discipline and assault before making serious allegations. 

“I think that matter was really blown out of proportion,” Mrs Wilson told reporters on the sidelines of an event Friday. “From what I heard, it was a little spanking...so I don’t know any degree of assault there.”

Her comments drew sharp criticism from Ms Louisius yesterday, who questioned how a “little spanking” could leave her son in such agony.

“Would a ‘little spanking’ require my son to sleep on his stomach to avoid further pain? But then again in all honesty why would you care? That isn’t discipline, that’s abuse that officer abused his power against a child. He made my son suffer and at what cost? Because he’s an officer? There’s absolutely nothing that can excuse this!”

The officer involved—a reserve officer assigned to the Urban Renewal Division—was reportedly not employed by the school and was on campus for unrelated business when the incident occurred.

Since filing a complaint last month, Ms Louisius said she has received few answers and described the investigation as frustrating and riddled with delays.

“The inspector who took our statement was shocked when he saw the pictures. The report was transferred between divisions—from corruption to schooling, then back to corruption.”

On Friday, she met with police officials, who assured her they would follow up in a “couple of days.” However, she remains skeptical.

When asked if she felt any relief after the meeting, she said no and believes the only reason police took it seriously was because of the news publicity.

The angered mother accused the police of protecting the officer, noting that they refused to disclose his name.

She said her son was moved to another class after returning to school last week and is now in better spirits.

“He said he likes the new class,” she said yesterday.

“The students aren’t bullying him because when he returned to school on Monday we told the principal that we would like it if she had a meeting with all the kids that were present to let them know that it’s not okay and that should not happen and don’t bully him so that made the process easier for him.”