Updated, 2 p.m., with video, booking photo and more details.
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a parent accused of assaulting the principal of Glenellen Elementary School Thursday.
On April 21, School Resource Officers responded to Glenellen Elementary School to investigate a physical assault against Emily Clark, the school’s principal.
The investigation, which included a review of school surveillance cameras, identified the suspect as Tandrea Laquise Sanders of Clarksville, according to a news release from MCSO spokesperson Lt. Mark Wojnarek.
In the video, it appears two women are yelling at Clark, and the one identified as Sanders appears to be holding a baby. She then strikes Clark.
Sanders is now in custody for assault with a $5,000 bond.
Prior to Sanders’ arrest, MCSO officials spent the night looking for her.
“A message needs to and will be sent.”
In a statement, Sheriff John Fuson made clear that his office will not tolerate violence in schools.
“We as parents and community members have absolutely had enough. Our SRO’s are working tirelessly to maintain safety on our school campuses for students and school staff. Dealing with the behavioral issues of an adolescent student is challenging enough, now we have a parent who feels that they can come to a school campus and act in this manner. This is not the first time that this has occurred. Well, I can tell you that circumstances like this will not be tolerated. I spoke with District Attorney Nash this morning about this incident and will ensure that Sanders is prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. A message needs to and will be sent. The example starts here with Sanders and this incident,” Fuson said.
More SRO officers needed
Due to an increase in “assaultive activity” in some of our high and middle schools, Fuson has implemented new staffing strategies, including an additional SRO at some of our high and middle schools.
This creates a shift in personnel that requires some elementary schools share an SRO, Fuson said. This is the case with Glenellen.
Seven additional SRO’s have been requested for next school year to ensure a 1:1 SRO to school ratio in local elementary schools, and a 2:1 ratio for some middle and high schools.