Schools across the country warn families about latest TikTok challenge
Schools across the country are warning students and parents about a dangerous new prank leading students to hit teachers and staffers.
Previously, the trend called "devious licks" had students vandalize and steal from school bathrooms. Now, administrators are sending a clear warning to students.
A Boston-area school district knows the challenge is very real after it happened to a middle school teacher on Thursday at Braintree School District.
"Please be aware that physically assaulting any member in the Braintree schools will immediately result in notification to the Braintree Police Department and significant school-based discipline, up to and including, expulsion. The potential legal charges range from assault to indecent assault and battery," Braintree schools said in a letter.
Pittsburgh Public Schools Interim Superintendent Dr. Wayne Walters said in a letter this week that any engagement in the social media challenge "will not be tolerated."
Schools across the country have said that students could risk expulsion and criminal charges.
Sakinah Shaahid-Lowman has a 16-year-old at Obama Academy in Pittsburgh.
"She was like 'I know if I was to ever try to do that I would be in so much trouble,'" she said. "I was shocked like they’re actually doing this for real. She showed me some clips and I’m like they're actually doing this."
The president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers Nina Esposito-Visgitis calls the latest trend targeting teachers "cruel."
"We worked so hard to get back into our schools," she said. "I think it’s very sad and kind of shocking that this is something that’s even being discussed."
Meanwhile, LaShonda Bilbo-Ervin, of Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools, said a warning was prompted in part by teachers bringing this social media trend to the attention of administrators.
"We owe them safety and security, as well as we owe for the students inside our building," she said. "And so we're supporting our teachers by sending the message out to our families that we are aware of this, and then we ultimately will not condone those actions."
In Louisiana, an 18-year-old student was arrested in connection with an altercation that happened between a disabled teacher in what police believe was in connection with the challenge.
Police said the student assaulted a teacher after the dismissal bell rang.
Due to injuries sustained by the attack, the teacher had to seek medical attention at an area hospital, according to police.
Larrianna Jackson was arrested and faces charges of suspicion of battery of a school teacher, which is a felony in the state.
Officers on the scene were also provided a video that captured the entire incident.
In the video, police say you can see the schoolteacher sitting at her desk where she appears to be talking to Jackson.
After a moment, police say Jackson punches the teacher, causing the teacher to fall to the ground. As the teacher fell to the ground, Jackson continues to violently closed-fist punch the teacher. The video then turns off at this point.
"The Covington Police Department would like to remind everyone that anyone who participates in such a challenge will be booked accordingly. In this post we also attached the video that has been circulating around the internet. This matter is still under investigation and more arrests for forthcoming," a statement issued by Covington Police said.
TikTok said the challenge will be removed from its platform if found.
"The rumored 'slap a teacher' dare is an insult to educators everywhere. And while this is not a trend on TikTok, if at any point it shows up, content will be removed," TikTok said.
Hearst stations , , and contributed to this report.