Substitute Teacher in Louisiana Arrested for Allegedly Offering to Pay Students to Attack Another and Not Reporting the Assault

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office stated on September 12, 2022, that detectives arrested a substitute physical education teacher who allegedly encouraged students to commit battery and bully a classmate.

According to a report obtained by the Caddo Youth Services Division, the event occurred on August 23 during a P.E. class at North Caddo Elementary Middle School. class. According to Detective Dennis Williams, 24-year-old Aadrina Smith, the substitute instructor, promised to pay five separate students $5 apiece to tackle their classmate.

Video of the incident shows Smith speaking with five students and appearing to congratulate three of those who took part in the battery. The substitute teacher sat in the bleachers while the victim lay on the gym floor and later stood up. Smith never assisted the victim and did not report the assault.

Smith was arrested on September 12 and booked into Caddo Correctional Center on five counts of contributing to juvenile delinquency and malfeasance in office. The Caddo Parish School District also fired her.

The investigation is ongoing, and further arrests are expected.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.