Columbia County school staff mistreated girl, mom’s lawsuit alleges
EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A mother says her daughter is suffering mental and physical anguish after mistreatment at the hands of Columbia County School District employees, and she’s filed a lawsuit.
The lawsuit by Etoi Taylor says the incidents happened on at least three occasions caught on video in the special education classroom at Euchee Creek Elementary School.
Columbia County manager assures no books will be removed from library
County Manager says no books have been removed from the library, but some have been moved to different sections, like from younger to older age groups.
Defendants include a teacher, a teacher’s assistant and a substitute teacher at the time, as well as the school district and its superintendent, Dr. Steven W. Flynt.
Taylor alleges the incidents happened in May 2023 to her daughter Jasmyn, who has Down syndrome and autism.
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial, alleging:
- Teacher Christopher Jacobs shoved Jasmyn’s desk and forcibly shook and battered Jasmyn, causing her emotional injury and impairing her ability to attend and gain access to education.
- Teacher’s assistant Melanie Kaylynn Knowlton assaulted Jasmyn by slapping at her face, battered her by striking her legs and forcibly removed a fidget bracelet from Jasmyn’s wrist. This conduct caused emotional injury and impaired Jasmyn’s ability to attend school and gain access to education, according to the lawsuit.
- In the same incident, substitute teacher Tracy Lee Underwood, next to Knowlton at the time, hit Jasmyn’s leg and pinched Jasmyn, also causing her emotional injury and impairing her access to education.
- Knowlton put yogurt on her fingers and aggressively force-fed Jasmyn ingredients to which she was highly allergic – a condition the lawsuit alleged school employees knew of. The lawsuit alleged the resulting physical harm and injury amounted to aggravated assault.
The lawsuit alleged Jasmyn’s mother reported these incidents to the school istration. Despite a mandate to do so, the school system and its employees failed to report the matter to law enforcement, the lawsuit alleges.
S.C. boy’s letter leads to papal reply and a miracle, family says
As the Catholic world celebrates the election of the first-ever American pontiff, one South Carolina family is ing their own “miraculous” connection with the late Pope Francis.
In fact, the lawsuit alleges instead of taking action against Knowlton and Jacobs, them, the district gave them awards.
Furthermore, the district “has harassed and retaliated against the Taylor family continuously since these horrific events were brought to their attention,” the lawsuit alleges.
The lawsuit blames Flynt for “willful, wanton, and reckless behavior” such as:
- Failing to prevent harm.
- Failing to fulfill the district’s obligations as a mandatory reporter.
- Failing to hire, adequately screen and train adequate and appropriate personnel.
- Negligently hiring, retaining and training employees.
- Failing to prevent intentional physical acts of violence, including assault, battery and intimidation, by district employees.
- Failing to prevent battery and intimidation.
The defendants are liable for punitive damages “to deter them from repeated misconduct,” the lawsuit alleges. The plaintiffs are also asking for compensatory damages in excess of $50,000, as well as legal costs.
Evans Elementary School student found with knife on campus
An Evans Elementary School student was found with a knife, according to a letter sent to parents on Wednesday. This makes the second knife found on a Columbia County Schools campus this week.
“Due to Columbia County’s actions and inactions, Jasmyn and Etoi Taylor have suffered tremendously,” states the lawsuit, which outlines the harm to Jasmyn as including “physical injuries, mental anguish and suffering, and other injuries.”
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
