Middle school teacher held scissors to student’s throat in class, GA cops say
A Georgia teacher accused of pressing a pair of scissors to a student’s throat has been charged, state investigators said.
Jamel Mikal Ashley, 46, was arrested on charges of aggravated assault and child cruelty following the classroom incident at Wilkinson County Middle School, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
The GBI began investigating May 12 at the request of the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office, the bureau said in a news release.
Investigators said Ashley approached a student in a classroom and held scissors to their neck, though it’s not clear what led to the incident.
Wilkinson County Schools said the incident was “immediately reported” but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
“The safety, dignity, and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities,” the district said in a statement posted on Facebook. “We ask for the community’s understanding as we respect the legal process and remain committed to providing a safe, respectful learning environment for all students.”
Ashley was arrested and taken to the Wilkinson County Sheriff’s Office Jail, investigators said.
It’s not clear if he’s still employed with Wilkinson County Schools, though he was listed as a special education teacher on the district’s website as of May 16.
The GBI didn’t release additional information.
Wilkinson County Middle School is in Irwinton, about a 30-mile drive east from downtown Macon.
This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 9:42 AM with the headline "Middle school teacher held scissors to student’s throat in class, GA cops say."