Derrick Lamont Clark, a 50-year-old Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, is facing serious legal repercussions – following allegations of child abuse.
Clark has been formally charged with a felony for first-degree cruelty to children and a misdemeanor for battery.
The incident, as detailed in the arrest warrant, occurred between 1:10 and 1:30 p.m. on November 15th in Canton.
It is alleged that Clark struck an autistic child in the face with his hand at Cherokee Charter Academy.
In response to the incident, Cherokee Charter Academy has taken a firm stance.
A spokesperson for the academy emphasized their commitment to student safety and appropriate conduct:
The care and safety of Cherokee Charter Academy students is always our priority.
We have strict standards for appropriate behavior at school and at all after-school related activities.
If ever an individual violates those standards, we take all appropriate actions, and the individual is no longer welcome on our campus.
The Cherokee Sheriff’s Office apprehended Clark on November 27. He was subsequently released on the same day after posting a $7,500 bond, as confirmed by Capt. Jay Baker, a spokesperson for the CSO.
The Canton Warriors BJJ Academy, the facility where Clark is an instructor at, has not issued any statement regarding the incident.
McDojo News covered the news further:
