Aurora police Wednesday investigated an alleged attack by a Hinkley High School student against the substitute teacher who confiscated her cell phone.
The teacher took the girl’s cell phone away during a Tuesday morning class after being warned to put it away, Aurora police spokesman Bob Friel said. The girl forcibly took the phone back.
“After losing the phone, the student became disruptive to the class and confrontational with the teacher,” Friel said.
She used abusive language and struck the teacher in the process of regaining her phone, Friel said. A male student came to the aid of the teacher by pulling off the angry teen, Friel said, “which is a good thing.”
The teacher, who was not seriously injured, called security officers, Friel said. The girl was detained but not arrested. She remains under investigation.
No weapons were involved in the incident.
Because of laws protecting the privacy of juveniles, neither police nor the school would release the girl’s name or age or discuss disciplinary action.
Friel said he could not release the specific criminal charges pending at this time. The case, he said, will be referred to the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.
The school issued a short statement saying officials were investigating the allegations and cooperating with police.
“Student and staff safety is a top priority at Hinkley High School,” Aurora Public Schools spokeswoman Paula Hans said. “We are committed to maintaining a safe environment in our schools and inappropriate behavior of any type will not be tolerated.”
Friel said it is possible that other students’ cell phones and cameras captured the incident. Police are looking for any recordings, Friel said. He might want to check YouTube.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
