PARKERSBURG, W. Va. (WTAP) – Christopher Van Reeth, 36, was arraigned on a charge of misdemeanor assault in the first degree, according to Marietta Municipal Court.

The complaint filed says the student’s mother sent an email to Marietta High School’s interim principal on Oct. 4, the same day the incident occurred. The email said the student had his head down in class when Van Reeth grabbed the student’s hoodie by the hood to lift his head. The student stated that they came home with red marks on their necks.

Later, it became known that the student received a medical diagnosis for an acute neck muscle strain.

The filing states Van Reeth was forwarded the parent’s email and he responded with his explanation of what happened. According to the report, part of Van Reeth’s email states that he found the student asleep and tried to wake him up, first by pushing him, then using his elbow to nudge him and hit him on the back, and finally he followed, pulling them by the back of his hoodie. .

Marietta City Schools issued a statement on Oct. 31 saying they were aware of the allegations against a teacher and took swift action as soon as they became aware, which, according to the complaint filed in Marietta Municipal Court, would be Oct. 4, when the principal interim received and forwarded the email to the school resource officer.

The Post states that Marietta City Schools assigned Van Reeth to home, directed him to have no contact with students or staff and banned him from school property. They also said they will continue to cooperate fully with local law enforcement.

According to online Marietta Municipal Court records, Van Reeth is scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 18 at 9 a.m.

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