An Oklahoma middle school teacher, Kiera Smith, was arrested after an incident in which a student suffered a broken collarbone during a session of “play fighting.” Smith, 41, faces a charge of aggravated assault and battery after the altercation at John Marshall Enterprise Middle School. The event, which took place on November 21, involved Smith engaging in rough, physical play with students during her science and social studies classes.
According to the arrest affidavit, the initial altercation began with two 13-year-old students engaging in horseplay. Other students joined in, and Smith allegedly became involved in the rough play. The situation escalated, with students videotaping the incident. In the videos, Smith is seen wrestling with students, including body slamming one, and taking another to the ground while others piled on her. The altercation continued during a later class, with Smith reportedly engaging in further roughhousing with a different student.
During this second incident, a student indicated that their play fight was not finished, prompting Smith to resume the physical interaction. According to the affidavit, Smith picked up the student, slammed him to the ground, and broke his collarbone. The student, in visible pain, remained on the floor, crying and asking for help. Despite the student’s distress, Smith did not check on him or offer assistance, instead returning to her desk.
About 15 minutes later, the student’s mother, who also worked at the school, discovered the situation and arrived to find her son still on the floor, in pain and crying. Smith was seated at her desk, apparently unconcerned by the severity of the injury. The incident was captured on student videos, which showed Smith not only failing to help the injured student but also allegedly kicking him while he was on the ground.
When questioned about the incident, Smith reportedly downplayed it, claiming that the injured student had approached her during their play fighting and that the injury occurred when the student rolled over her shoulder and fell. She denied any malicious intent or responsibility for the injury, asserting that the student had chosen to join in on the rough play. Smith also mentioned that she frequently engaged in play fighting with students, but this behavior did not align with the video footage or statements from other students.
The investigation revealed that Smith had been involved in similar incidents before. She was previously arrested in 2018 for sexual battery, though she later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. That earlier incident involved another teacher at a different school, where Smith allegedly inappropriately touched the teacher in a manner that led to criminal charges.
Despite her downplaying of the situation, Smith was arrested on November 26. The Oklahoma City Police Department conducted a thorough investigation, including reviewing student statements and video evidence. The charges in the current case stem from her handling of the situation with the injured student and the manner in which she failed to take appropriate action after the injury occurred.
At this point, no court dates have been scheduled for Smith’s case, though it remains an active matter in the Oklahoma County court system. The case continues to draw attention due to the troubling nature of the incidents, as well as Smith’s past legal history.
