It almost seems as if we can’t get through a single week without hearing about a police officer brutalizing an African American or Hispanic suspect, and a March 29 incident in San Antonio, Texas, was no different. A disturbing video surfaced online that shows Rhodes Middle School police officer Joshua Kehm brutalizing 12-year-old student, Janissa Valdez.
After he body slams her into the ground, the San Antonio School District suspended her for the privilege, according to New York Daily News.
The Video: 33 Seconds Of Fame
Officer Kehm escalated the situation seemingly unprovoked. He allegedly intervened in a developing fight between Janissa and another student, according to the NYDN, but Janissa said she simply walked up to the girl and hadn’t done, or intended to do anything.
The 33-second video doesn’t show the beginning of the incident – it starts by showing Officer Kehm with Janissa’s arms secured behind her back. Out of the blue, he twists her by her arms, hauls her up over his head, and slams her face-first into the brick floors.
Sure, she might have been struggling, but if someone grabbed you from behind with no warning, and you didn’t know who it was, you’d probably struggle too.
The sound of Janissa’s head smacking the bricks (just after 00:04 in the video) is sickening. Even more so is what happened next – no, it’s not just the kids laughing at her. It’s watching Janissa struggling to stay conscious while the officer drags her away.
Gut-Wrenching Reality
Janissa’s mother, Gloria Valdez, confirmed that Janissa was indeed unconscious at one point, according to the NYDN.
The video shows that Officer Kehm never checked to see if Janissa was OK, even though you can see he had to help her stay on her feet. Mom Gloria said,
“You can actually hear it, her head hits the concrete, and that’s what hurt me the most … And he didn’t even seem like it bothered him. And he still handcuffed her after she was unconscious.”
Gloria also confirmed that Janissa “didn’t even remember the slam at first.” The report notes that after her face hit the brick floor, Janissa suffered from swelling and bruises near her right eye.
A spokesperson for the SASD, Leslie Price, said,
“The video is very concerning … We need to find out all the details as to what occurred, but I can also say that we will not tolerate excessive force in this district.”
Officer And Students’ Stories Refuted
Excessive force indeed. The video refutes other students’ claims that the girl kicked the officer. In reality, while she struggles a bit in the beginning, she doesn’t fight Officer Kehm outright, and barely resists.
According to KSAT, the SASD suspended Janissa for the privilege of being attacked by Officer Kehm. Janissa hasn’t been back to school, though, and she’ll likely need counseling to deal with the trauma of being attacked by someone she is supposed to trust.
Officer Kehm, suspended with pay by the district, gets to vacation with a complete paycheck – likely for the next few months. Pending the outcome of two investigations to resolve the matter, of course.
What will the district do if they find in favor of Janissa that Officer Kehm attacked her? Will the district fire him? Transfer him? And what about Janissa’s suspension? It appears on her record permanently, and will likely serve as a reminder of the day her life changed forever.
Will it be expunged, or will Janissa forever be tormented by that fateful day she found out no one is immune from police brutality, not even kids?
The following video may be disturbing to some viewers. Parental discretion is advised.
Featured Image: Screengrab Via New York Daily News, and YouTube Video.
