Muscogee County teacher charged with simple battery. Mom says she choked her child
A Muscogee County School District teacher stood in a Columbus courtroom Thursday morning as she faced a criminal charge of simple battery.
Jody Russell, whose lawyer identified her as a teacher, appeared for a principal summons hearing in Columbus Recorder’s Court.
Judge Susan Henderson said the court didn’t have jurisdiction over the charge and it would have to be bound over to State Court.
Katrina Robinson told reporters her 14-year-old son has Down syndrome and attends Fort Middle School, where he has been in Russell’s classroom for two years.
Robinson claims she received a phone call Nov. 5 from the principal and the school police officer saying someone witnessed an incident of Russell choking her child. They told her they were investigating the incident, and it was caught on camera, according to Robinson.
Robinson said her son is nonverbal but made a noise, and Russell proceeded to choke him.
Robinson said the officer asked her whether she wants to press charges, and she did.
Russell’s lawyer declined to comment after the proceedings.
The Ledger-Enquirer has asked Muscogee County School District superintendent David Lewis and communications director Kimberly Wright for comment as well as for the teacher’s employment status, the MCSD police report and any other documents related to this incident.
Thursday afternoon, MCSD released the following statement:
“The Muscogee County School District (MCSD) is aware that one of its teachers, Ms. Jody Russell, appeared in court today related to an incident that occurred more than a month ago. MCSD promptly conducted a thorough investigation into the incident. The investigation included interviewing eyewitnesses and reviewing video footage. Appropriate personnel action was taken in November based on the findings of that investigation.
“MCSD will fully cooperate with the State Solicitor’s Office as it reviews and addresses the misdemeanour charges filed by the parents. MCSD will continue to closely monitor the situation; however, there is no new information that would lead the district to alter the decisions made in November regarding the teacher’s conduct or employment status.
“MCSD is now also aware that the parents of the student have described the event to the media as a teacher choking a student. MCSD disagrees with that description. That is not consistent with the facts and video evidence gathered by MCSD.
“To protect the privacy of the student, to maintain the confidentiality of personnel matters, and to respect the ongoing legal process under the purview of the Solicitor’s Office, MCSD is unable to provide further details at this time.”
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM.