Concerns about student safety at Bailey Middle School in Escambia County have resurfaced after a middle school student was assaulted in a hallway while a teacher reportedly did not intervene.
The incident was described in a Facebook post by Amanda Sue Bellamy, who explained that her son was attacked after being removed from a class for his own protection.
As per Bellamy, the student responsible for the assault is 16 years old, yet still enrolled in middle school.
She claims that while the altercation occurred, a teacher watched without stepping in. Amanda wrote,
How can we send our kids to school when threats are ignored and staff refuses to intervene during an active assault?
She added that her son would be withdrawn from the school and returned to Pensacola Christian Academy.
Bellamy and her family are pursuing legal action against both the individual responsible and the Escambia County School District, urging parents who may have experienced similar situations to come forward.
The post grabbed an immediate response from the community. Amber McCraney, who identified herself as a teacher, said,
Unfortunately, as a teacher, we aren’t allowed to put our hands on children either. There’s so many lawsuits that can happen there.
However, I have been in your situation as well, and good luck. Absolutely NO one would speak with me at the school district. I wrote letters, emails to EVERYONE, and even went there. I also had videos.
My son had to go to the ER and had an issue with his vertebra in his neck/ upper back, and a huge contusion on the back of his head from hitting the floor.
Others commented on systemic issues at the school. Amanda Hodges said that the Escambia County School District would hold anyone accountable.
Amanda Sue Bellamy escambia county will never let anyone be held accountable. I absolutely promise . It’s gross
Brenda Beach-Jordan encouraged Bellamy to contact local news stations to bring wider attention to the incident.
Amanda Sue Bellamy news stations !
Amy Taylor suggested martial arts as a way for children to defend themselves.
It’s been going on for years! My son was getting bullied and they wouldn’t even set up a meeting between parents. This was probably 10 years ago. I have a very unpopular opinion on the subject. Get your child into martial arts and have them stand up for themselves. Yes they get suspended but it stops others from bullying them. When my son fought back all of a sudden the bullies moved on.
Former school board and staff members also shared their concerns. Ashley Owensby described Bailey Middle School as a place where students “get away with everything,” recounting a personal accident while attempting to close a gate on school property due to safety negligence.
Another commenter, ThatStillDoesntExplainIt, said,
I don’t like the way the school district operates in general. There’s only 1 caseworker to 6 schools. Report abuse by a teacher and they may try to blame you as a parent and flip the script. But I wasn’t having it, the teacher was removed from the classroom within three days and was nowhere to be found at the elementary school within 30 days. There were other allegations before mine. Speak up for your child, nobody else will.
Other parents voiced long-standing frustrations with Escambia County schools. Kimberly Mathis recounted ongoing issues at Ferry Pass Middle School, saying,
I’m having issues at another school. Gerry Pass Middle. Not only with bullying but some of the teachers as well. It’s sad how we as parents have to advocate and be proactive when it comes to our children. I’ve had meetings after meetings and reached out to the Superintendent staff. Let me just say they look out for each other. They do alot of covering up, pushing things up under the rug. They don’t follow up and follow through. They lie for each other. I’m so over these schools. I’ve talked with several lawyers about my issues. I wish I was able to home school mines. I’m sorry that happened to your son. My heart breaks for you. A couple weeks ago I was ready to call 3, 5, & 10 news. They need the publicity. And they need to be held accountable. I can tell you stories of what I’ve endured the last 3 yrs at Ferry Pass Middle. My son will have you in tears. It’s heartbreaking.
Paola Wilson added that her nonspeaking child was physically harmed by a teacher, and the state eventually dropped the case because her child could not provide testimony.
This is why we homeschool. Our son was hit by a teacher and the school did nothing and the teacher is still teaching (at a different school but same county). The state went after her but of course had to drop it because my son is nonspeaking, and couldn’t explain his side of the story.
BBBQUEEN19 shared that their seventh-grade daughter was withdrawn from Bailey Middle School due to repeated threats and bullying, while Natty Roberson encouraged Bellamy’s son to remain resilient, saying,
As long as your son fought back, he’ll be alright. Stand tall no matter how small or big. That’s the only way a bully will stop messing with him. Your son will be a man someday.
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