Sam McNair, 17, has been suspended from Duluth High School in Georgia for supposed sexual harassment of a teacher. However, McNair insists it was only a hug. He told WGCL in Atlanta: “You never know what someone’s going through. A hug might help.” Now McNair faces a one-year suspension.
The teen’s mother, April McNair, expressed her outrage over the situation to WGCL, and pointed out that her son’s college plans may be impacted by the suspension. “He’s a senior; he plays football. He was getting ready for lacrosse season, and you are stripping him of the opportunity to even get a full scholarship for athletics for college,” she said.
However, video surveillance of the hug was watched, and it shows McNair’s teacher pushing him away from her as he goes for a hug. The teacher claims that McNair put his mouth to her neck, but McNair denies the accusation, and says that he hugs many of his teachers.
Spokesman for Gwinnet County Public Schools, Sloan Roach, said in a statement: “Hearing officers consider witness testimony, a review of the known facts, and a student’s past disciplinary history — including long-term suspensions that result in alternative school placement — when determining consequences. If a parent has concerns about the outcome of a panel, he or she is entitled to appeal the decision to the Gwinnett County Board of Education.”
McNair does have previous offenses on his school discipline record, but none related to sexual assault.
