Parent Chokes School Staff at Charlotte Randolph Middle School
Parent chokes school staff at Randolph Middle School and was arrested. Police arrested 33-year-old Mariah Hector on May 5, 2025. The mother, upset over a fight involving her daughter, allegedly assaulted both the school principal and an area superintendent, triggering a full school lockdown.
According to court documents obtained by The North Carolina Beat, Hector and several family members arrived at Randolph Middle School, located at 4400 Water Oak Rd., after her daughter called following a school fight. Witnesses say Hector became irate when asked to leave by school employee Michael Smalls.
Parent Chokes School Staff Following Brawl Involving Daughter
Instead of complying, the parent chokes school staff—literally. The report says Hector shoved Principal Jennifer Schroeder into a wall and then placed both hands around Area Superintendent Jennifer Dean’s neck, attempting to choke her until other staff members intervened. Dean reported difficulty breathing and had visible injuries to her neck.
Both Schroeder and Dean are Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools employees and were actively performing their duties when the assault occurred. The violent outburst disrupted school operations and forced the campus into an emergency lockdown.
Police arrested Mariah Hector on-site, charging her with Second-Degree Trespass and two counts of Assault on a School Employee. Officer Charles Thompson submitted the report, which details how Hector ignored school directives and aggressively escalated the situation.
