Former Eisenhower principal indicted after allegedly punching student

A former principal of Dwight D. EIsenhower Middle School has been indicted on child abuse and second-degree assault charges stemming from a September incident in which he allegedly punched a student, according to Prince George's County State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks.

Dwight Jefferson is accused of punching a male student twice in the stomach and once in the face, according to a news release from the state's attorney's office.

Jefferson has been permanently removed from acting principal at Eisenhower, according to Prince George's County Public Schools spokesman Max Pugh.

"The type of behavior that led to the allegations are not accepted or tolerated in our school district," Pugh said in a statement. "As soon as PGCPS learned of the incident in September he was placed on leave, had no contact with students and this latest step ensures we are doing all we can to be sure our schools remain a safe and productive environment."

Jefferson allegedly stopped the victim on his way to class and when the student tried to run, he called him over for a second time. After telling the student to go to a conference room in the office for suspension, the victim alleges he was asked to go to a back room, where Jefferson punched him twice in the stomach, according to the release.

The victim then alleges he put up his guard and prepared to strike Jefferson back, but was subsequently punched in the face. When the victim returned to class, a teacher and others noticed that his eye was swollen, and the teacher notified school administrators.

Jefferson faces one count of child abuse and three counts of second-degree assault. He is being held on $75,000 bond, according to the state's attorney's office.

As part of negotiated union agreements and state law, Jefferson will be afforded due process, and Pugh said the outcome of Jefferson's future with PGCPS will be determined at the outcome of the legal process.

Retired principal John Brooks, who stepped into Jefferson's role in September, will remain in the position as the administration begins the selection process for a permanent replacement to lead the school, according to Pugh.

Former Eisenhower principal indicted after allegedly punching student

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