A Canton, Georgia man who teaches martial arts has been arrested after authorities say he hit a child at a local school.
Derrick Lamont Clark, 50, has been charged with one felony count of first degree cruelty to children and one misdemeanor count of battery.
According to his arrest warrant, between 1:10 and 1:30 p.m. Nov. 15, Clark allegedly hit a child at Cherokee Charter Academy in the face with his hand. The child, who has no relation to Clark, has autism.
Representatives of CCA said he is not permitted on the campus anymore.
“The care and safety of Cherokee Charter Academy students is always our priority,” a spokesperson for CCA said. “We have strict standards for appropriate behavior at school and at all after-school related activities. If ever an individual violates those standards, we take all appropriate actions, and the individual is no longer welcome on our campus.”
Clark is the head instructor at Canton Warriors BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) Academy in Georgia. The academy, which offers training for kids and adults.
Clark was arrested by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Nov. 27. He was released the same day on a $7,500 bond, said CSO spokesperson Capt. Jay Baker.
