RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. — One of two students arrested during an altercation with a Spring Valley High School resource officer has not gone back to class, her lawyer said Monday.

Student Niya Kenny has no intention of returning, attorney Simone R. Martin said.

“Her family is considering other options at this time but has not made a final decision with regard to her future education plans,” Martin said.

School district spokeswoman Libby Roof confirmed that both girls are free to resume attending classes.

After a student-shot video went viral of Richland County Deputy Ben Fields removing one of the students forcibly from her desk Oct. 26, he was fired.

Martin said she won’t comment on whether that girl – who has not been identified publicly by officials – plans to go back to the school. The girl is 16 and therefore a minor under state law.

Both girls face charges of disturbing schools.

The unidentified school administrator who called Fields to help is on paid leave, Roof said.

Meanwhile, the unidentified teacher involved is no longer teaching the mathematics class where the incident happened but is teaching other classes, Roof said.

A substitute teacher handling the math class is expected to continue in that role until the investigation underway by the FBI and U.S. attorney’s office is finished, she said.

After the investigation is completed, “the district will have to decide what to do next,” Roof said.

Copy the Story Link