Teachers have been suspended after students at a Texas school tattooed themselves using the same needle.
Travis Intermediate School students were forced to take blood tests due to fears that they were infected. Sharing needles can lead to the spread of diseases such as Hepatitis B, C, and HIV.
One outraged parent stated that her 11-year-old son had ‘I heart my Lord’ tattooed on his arm and ‘JC’ on his hand.
“It broke the skin and scabbed over,” Jordan Armstrong’s mother Ashley told Fox 4 News. “The needle was shared multiple times. Moving from one class to the next. How is it that these students are getting tattoos in class and no teacher notices?”
Parents claim the tattoo was done in front of teachers. While it is unclear how many children received the ink, several teachers have been suspended while the Greenville Independent School District conducts an investigation.
Ms Armstrong revealed that no teachers were aware of her son’s dangerous stunt.
Her son has received a negative test since the incident, but a follow-up is scheduled for this week, according to Fox.
“This could seriously affect him,” she said.
“Greenville ISD is aware of an incident at Travis Intermediate School where students gave each other tattoos using temporary ink and the same needle,” the school district said in a statement.
“Due to the health and safety risks, the District immediately launched an investigation.”
Teachers assigned to the classrooms where the alleged incident occurred are currently suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
“Their role in this matter will be investigated to determine whether additional disciplinary action is necessary. The District administration condemns the alleged activities and will not tolerate such behavior.
The District Administration will cooperate with law enforcement to identify all students involved in the alleged incident.
“Throughout this process, the District will follow state law, District policy, and the District’s Student Code of Conduct and discipline protocols.
“A thorough review of the affected campus will be conducted to ensure that the incident in question is an isolated occurrence and does not happen again. Student safety is our top priority.”
