Background: John Small Elementary School in Washington, North Carolina (Google Maps). Inset: Khadeeja Muhammad (Beaufort County Sheriff”s Office).
A North Carolina mother became enraged and attacked a pregnant law enforcement officer when she was not immediately allowed to see her child at an elementary school, according to officials.
Khadeeja Muhammad, 44, faces five misdemeanor charges: assault on a pregnant woman, assault on a government official, resisting a public officer, second-degree trespassing, and disorderly conduct. She was detained at the Beaufort County Detention Center with a secured bond set at $1,000.
The incident occurred on January 29 around 2:15 p.m. at John Small Elementary School in Washington, a city near the Atlantic coast. As reported by the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Muhammad entered the school’s front office demanding to see her daughter, prompting the involvement of the school’s resource officer.
The officer, who was pregnant, informed Muhammad that the school was verifying her visitation rights due to an ongoing custody dispute, explained the sheriff’s office. The officer, familiar with Muhammad’s situation, knew she did not have legal custody of her daughter.
According to court documents accessed by Law&Crime, Muhammad attempted to visit her child despite instructions from the North Carolina Division of Social Services prohibiting contact.
The sheriff’s office detailed that Muhammad became agitated, shouting profanities in the school office. Despite being asked to leave by the resource officer, she allegedly refused, prompting the officer to call for backup.
“Once additional units arrived, Muhammad had to be physically removed from the building due to her behavior, which included slinging water at staff from a water bottle, being combative, and resisting commands by Deputies and Officers,” the sheriff’s office continued. “In the process of removing Muhammad from the building, she kicked the School Resource Officer in the stomach.”
Authorities noted that neither the officer nor her unborn child was injured in the incident.
A judge has recommended that Muhammad obtain a mental health evaluation, according to court records. Records do not indicate a date for her next court appearance.
