Sometimes, a simple after-school event can take an unexpected and unfortunate turn. That’s exactly what happened at a basketball game in Plaquemine, Louisiana, when a heated altercation left two women behind bars and the school principal in the hospital. Let’s unpack what happened.
An Ordinary Game Takes a Shocking Turn
It all started on Monday, January 13, during an after-school basketball game at Iberville Elementary School. The principal, who was there to watch the students play, noticed two small children wandering dangerously close to the active game. Concerned for their safety, she stepped in to guide them off the court—a task she repeated multiple times, according to surveillance footage.
At one point, the principal approached a mother, later identified as Alessia Parker, and politely asked her to keep her children off the court, as it was disrupting the game. But instead of diffusing the situation, the request seemed to ignite Parker’s temper.
Caught on Camera: A Heated Exchange
Surveillance footage shows the mom, with one child holding her hand and another on her hip, becoming visibly upset. She approached the principal, getting uncomfortably close. When the principal raised her hand to maintain some space, Parker lashed out—delivering a punch so hard it knocked the principal out of her chair.
A nearby sheriff’s deputy quickly stepped in to separate the two women, but the damage had already been done. The principal sustained a busted lip and a head injury, requiring a hospital visit. Thankfully, she was able to return to work the very next day.
Legal Consequences Follow
Parker didn’t get far. The day after the incident, she turned herself in and was charged with multiple offenses, including disturbing the peace and felony battery of a school teacher.
But Parker wasn’t alone in her outburst. Another woman, Jemecia Godchaux, described as Parker’s “cohort,” allegedly stirred the pot by making threats and shouting obscenities. Godchaux was also arrested and found to have a pending bench warrant.
A Clear Message from the School District
In response to the incident, Iberville Parish School Board Superintendent Dr. Louis Voiron made it clear: this kind of behavior won’t be tolerated. Both Parker and Godchaux have been banned from all schools in the district.
The principal, now recovering, has the support of her school and community. While the situation was undoubtedly shocking, it serves as a reminder of the importance of staying calm, even in moments of frustration.
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Let’s hope this incident encourages better conflict resolution, especially in environments meant for learning and growth.
