Tennessee School Principal Charged with Strangling Teen Son, Forcing Him Outside in Underwear

Janelle Brooks, principal of Warner Arts Magnet Elementary in Nashville, was arrested for allegedly beating her 13-year-old son with a paddle and strangling him. She was released on a $15,000 bond.

Nashville Principal Arrested for Assaulting 13-Year-Old Son at Home

A Nashville elementary school principal has been arrested on charges of aggravated domestic assault after allegedly forcing her teenage son out of the house in his underwear, striking him with a paddle, and choking him until he was left "wheezing" for air, Law & Crime reports.

Janelle Brooks, 38, principal of Warner Arts Magnet Elementary School in East Nashville, was taken into custody last week following concerns raised by her ex-husband — also the victim's father — who contacted the Portland Police Department over the welfare of his children during their stay at their mother's home.

According to a report from the Nashville Banner, the ex-husband initially feared that Brooks' new boyfriend was disciplining the children without his consent. Investigators subsequently spoke with the 13-year-old boy, who described a more serious incident involving his mother directly.

The teenager told police that Brooks had ordered him to leave her home but barred him from taking any clothing or belongings she had paid for, leaving him standing outside in only his underwear. Brooks then allegedly retrieved a paddle from another room and struck the boy repeatedly on his legs before grabbing him by the throat and squeezing until he was struggling to breathe, Nashville Fox affiliate WZTV reported.

When detectives asked why the boy had not called for help, he explained that he was not allowed access to a phone or any electronic device while staying at his mother's home.

Brooks reportedly did not deny the core allegations when interviewed by investigators. Court documents cited by Law & Crime indicate she acknowledged using the paddle to discipline her son after he "disrespected her."

"Mrs. Brooks stated that she had grabbed a paddle to discipline her son, to which she said he had responded 'you're not going to paddle me,'" police wrote in the arrest affidavit. "Mrs. Brooks stated that she told her 13-year-old son that he could get out then. However she was not allowing him to leave with any items she had personally purchased for him, so her 13-year-old son was now only in his underwear."

Brooks also reportedly admitted reaching for her son's throat after he had "swelled up at her," though she claimed the boy grabbed her arms and attempted to block her.

She was arrested on Aug. 20 and booked into the Sumner County Jail. Court records show she posted a $15,000 bond and was released the following day. An order of protection was served on her at the time of release, and her first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 4.

Metro Nashville Public Schools placed Brooks on administrative leave on Aug. 21, one day after her arrest, pending the outcome of an external investigation. In an email to parents, obtained by the Nashville Banner, district officials stated the incident was unrelated to her professional duties.

"The matter involving Dr. Brooks had nothing to do with her work as principal or to the operations of Warner Elementary," the district wrote. "Because this is an ongoing personnel matter, we are unable to provide additional information at this time."

Brooks faces one count of aggravated domestic assault.

Source: Law & Crime