Charge dismissed in 2015 spanking at east Macon youth center

A criminal charge filed against the director of an east Macon youth center after a 2015 spanking there won’t be prosecuted.

Former NFL player Roger Jackson was charged with misdemeanor battery after allegations surfaced that he’d struck an 8-year-old girl with a belt at the Motivating Youth Foundation’s after-school program on Main Street.

State Court Solicitor Rebecca Grist said she decided not to prosecute Jackson after speaking with investigators, workers from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning and the parties involved.

In making her decision, Grist said she considered that the state will continue to monitor the center and Jackson, and that a lawsuit filed by the girl and her mother has been settled. “We decided it was in the best interest of all involved that we dismiss it without prosecution,” Grist said.

Reached for comment Monday, Jackson’s lawyer, Virgil Adams, said he and his client are “extremely pleased” that the charge has been dismissed.

“This matter has been a very unfortunate, disappointing and yet learning experience for Mr. Jackson,” Adams said. “We hope that all of this can finally be put to rest and the focus can return where it should be, that is, on the kids who depend on the dedication of Roger Jackson and his staff to give them the best opportunity to succeed and become productive citizens irrespective of their circumstances.”

Jackson has admitted using the belt to discipline the girl at the center on April 22, 2015, striking her three or four times after learning she’d gotten in trouble at school. He said he’d gotten permission from the girl’s mother to spank her children in the past.

After the girl went home for the day, she was taken to a doctor and police were called. Officers took pictures of redness and bruising on the girl’s buttocks and hands.

She told authorities she’d tried to shield her buttocks with her hands while Jackson struck her with the belt, causing the injury to her hands.

Further investigation revealed that Jackson had used the belt — known to the children as “Mr. Willy,” — on other kids. The use of corporal punishment is a violation of regulations governing centers such as Motivating Youth.

Motivating Youth was closed after the incident, but it was allowed to reopen after officials signed a consent agreement in July, agreeing to certain conditions and further monitoring.

As part of the agreement, Jackson’s presence at the center was limited during operating hours.

The state may expand the amount of time Jackson can spend when children are present after the the agreement is reviewed. That review began last month. It’s unclear when it might be complete.

The 8-year-old girl’s mother filed suit against Motivating Youth, Jackson and an employee, Oprah Taylor, in October 2015. The case ended in a confidential settlement.

The Telegraph obtained some of the settlement documents after filing Open Records Act requests. Records of nonprofit agencies that receive at least a third of their funding from public funds are subject to disclosure under the act.

Records showed that the girl’s mother agreed to receive a $7,500 settlement in exchange for dropping the suit.

A Bibb County State Court judge also signed an order Feb. 4 approving a settlement for the girl. A judge’s approval is required for any settlement on a minor’s behalf of more than $15,000, according to the order.

This story was originally published May 2, 2016 at 10:44 AM with the headline "Charge dismissed in 2015 spanking at east Macon youth center."