September 5, 2025

Teacher Under Investigation After Body Slam Incident at School

News Summary

A teacher at Westside High School in Jacksonville faces investigation after a student was body slammed during a game of musical chairs at a pep rally. The incident left 16-year-old Nyla Millikin with serious injuries, prompting her mother to consider legal action. The teacher has been reassigned pending investigation, raising concerns about safety and appropriate conduct in school settings. Footage of the incident has sparked outrage and discussions about the need for stronger policies to ensure student welfare during school activities.

Jacksonville, FL – A teacher at Westside High School is under investigation following an incident in which a student was body slammed during a game of musical chairs at a pep rally. The event, which occurred last Friday, left 16-year-old Nyla Millikin with a concussion and bruised ribs. Her mother, Joanna Millikin, is planning to file a lawsuit and press charges against those involved in the incident.

The teacher, whose identity has not been disclosed, reportedly threw Nyla to the ground after the game ended, an act that has raised serious concerns about appropriate behavior in the school setting. Joanna Millikin has since retained legal counsel and is seeking accountability for what she believes was an unnecessary and aggressive action by the teacher.

Footage of the incident, shared by Joanna Millikin on TikTok, captures the moment Nyla was body slammed and the teacher celebrating his victory afterwards. In the video, Nyla recollected feeling that the teacher was “too close” to her prior to the act. This has raised questions about the guidelines for teacher conduct, particularly in activities designed for student engagement and enjoyment.

Following the incident, Joanna Millikin spoke with the school principal, who expressed surprise upon viewing the video of the incident. He acknowledged the seriousness of the behavior displayed by the teacher and indicated that the school is taking measures, although details of the actions being pursued were not disclosed.

The Duval County Public Schools district has confirmed that the teacher has been reassigned to duties that do not involve contact with students while the investigation is ongoing. District officials refrained from providing additional details about the situation due to the active nature of the inquiry.

This incident is part of a broader dialogue about student safety and the role of educators in maintaining a safe and supportive environment. Many parents and community members have expressed concern that incidents like this could undermine the trust that students and families place in the school system. There is a growing call for more stringent behavior policies and training to help prevent situations that might arise from potentially aggressive actions during school-related activities.

The upcoming legal action by Joanna Millikin highlights the urgent need for a review of how schools handle physical interactions during games and events. It also calls into question the oversight mechanisms currently in place to protect students from harm in school environments.

As the investigation continues, stakeholders, including educators, parents, and district officials, are urged to reflect on the implications of this incident and work collaboratively to uphold the values of student welfare and safety within the educational system.

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Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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