*A Los Angeles father is accusing a staff member at ISANA Nascent Charter Elementary School of physically assaulting his 6-year-old daughter, raising serious concerns about student safety, transparency, and potential retaliation against a reporting teacher.
According to a statement provided to EURweb by Project Islamic Hope, Malik Brinston, the incident allegedly occurred in December 2025 during a disagreement between his daughter, Amina, and another student.
Brinston claims a teacher’s aide, identified as Ms. Friarson, “violently backhanded” the first-grade student, leaving a visible mark on her face. He further alleges the aide was wearing a ring at the time of the incident.
The alleged assault was reportedly witnessed by classroom teacher Mrs. Cunningham, who Brinston says immediately reported the incident to school leadership and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.
However, Brinston states that neither he nor the child’s mother was informed of the alleged incident at the time.
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“No child should ever be subjected to violence by someone entrusted with their care,” Brinston said. “No parent should be kept in the dark about an assault on their child.”
Conflicting Accounts and Investigation Questions
Brinston alleges that when DCFS visited the school in December and interviewed his daughter, parents were told the visit was unrelated to any incident involving her.
He further claims that law enforcement later interviewed his daughter, who confirmed she had been struck—yet again, he says, without parental notification from the Los Angeles Police Department.
When he sought answers from school leadership, Brinston alleges the school’s principal dismissed the claims as coming from a “disgruntled former employee.”
That employee, he says, is Mrs. Cunningham—the teacher who reported the alleged incident and who has since been terminated.
Brinston and community advocates are now alleging retaliation.
Activists Call for Accountability
Civil rights activist Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic Hope, is now involved and plans to join the family at a scheduled press conference.
“This is outrageous,” Ali said in a statement. “A 6-year-old child was slapped in the face by a school employee, and instead of protecting that child, the school covered it up and fired the whistleblower.”
Ali added that activists are demanding arrests, an independent investigation, and full accountability.
Family Withdraws Child, Demands Action
Brinston says he ultimately withdrew his daughter from the school out of concern for her safety.
“My daughter was forced to see the person who assaulted her every day, sending a dangerous message that this kind of abuse is acceptable,” he said. “It is not. We will not be silent.”
The family is calling for:
- A full independent investigation
- Accountability for all involved parties
- Justice for the child and the reporting teacher
- A formal public apology from school officials
Press Conference Details
A press conference is scheduled for:
Monday, March 23, 2026
12:30 PM
ISANA Nascent Academy
Expected participants include:
- Malik Brinston and family members
- Mrs. Cunningham (the reporting teacher)
- Najee Ali and community activists
Editorial Note:
EURweb has not independently verified all claims in this statement. Attempts to obtain comment from ISANA Nascent Charter Elementary School and relevant authorities are ongoing. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.
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