Niakea Williams: Mother of Special Needs Child Arrested At His School For Consoling Him Because She Didn’t Sign In Upon Arrival

On Thursday, Mar. 20, Niakea Williams went to pick up her special needs son from school, but ended up behind bars. According to News 4, the entire incident took place at Walnut Groves Elementary School. Williams received a call from her son’s teacher earlier that day. The teacher explained that Williams’ son Michael was panicking.

“I was lying in bed when I received a frantic phone call from the teacher, Michael was panicking,” said Niakea Williams. The publication reports that Williams explained her son has Asperger’s syndrome.

After ending the call, Williams went to the Ferguson – Florissant school. She informed the publication that she was actually buzzed in by school officials. “I saw a teacher and she said Ms. Williams what is wrong? I said something is wrong with Mikey and proceeded to go straight to my son,” said Williams.

She stated that she proceeded to the classroom. When she arrived, she immediately went to console her frantic son. Then, the school principal arrived to inform her that she’d violated school policy by not signing the book.

“I didn’t sign the book, but I had to check on my son. You can bring me the book, She said oh no, I’ve already called the police. You called what,” said Williams.

The Calverton Park Police responded to the call that was classified as an “unauthorized entry to a school.” The school was also placed on a 12-minute lockdown at the time of Williams’ arrest. A letter was also sent home with students at the end of the day notifying their parents of the incident.

“They escorted me away from my son, who already has emotional distress. Four officers told me to turn around and put my hands behind my back, I was under arrest,” said Williams.

She stated that she was taken down to the station on trespassing charges. However, she is a known parent at the school, which would explain why she was buzzed in without having to show any form of identification. Williams also explained that she had been at the school the previous day for an unrelated issue. She feels her arrest was quite extremely and unnecessary.

When the news station asked if Williams if “feels there needs to be discretion used,” she said, “Yes, I feel like today I got arrested for being a concerned parent of my child.”

Image via News 4 (Screenshot)