ATLANTA - s4story -- On December 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Chennault Legal & Consulting Group held a press conference on behalf of Danielle Offet, mother of minor child Malachi Sherman, to address assault charges and concerns regarding student safety, accountability, and systemic failures within Rockdale County Public Schools. Seventh Grade Socials Study Teacher & Former Teacher of the Year, Melvin McClain, was arrested on "Simple battery, Cruelty To Children In The 3rd Degree or Subsequent Offense, and Cruelty To Children In The 3rd Degree or Subsequent Offense on December 1st, 2025

Attorney Kianna Chennault outlined the circumstances surrounding Malachi's case. She raised concerns regarding the handling of the incident by school officials, as well as the broader implications for student protection within the district. Ms. Offet shared her experience as a parent, emphasizing the emotional toll on her family and her desire to ensure that no other child or parent endures a similar situation.

Attorney Chennault highlighted the family's insistence on meaningful policy changes that prioritize student safety, accountability, and clear communication with parents. Their demands include mandatory audio recording on all classroom cameras, zero tolerance for physical contact, parental notification within 24 hours of violent incidents, independent law enforcement reporting, trauma-informed training for teachers, a ban on student isolation practices, a centralized complaint tracking system similar to police POST records, and an independent, third-party safety audit of all district schools to identify systemic weaknesses and recommend improvements such as enhanced teacher screening and annual mental health checks.

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In addition to Ms. Offet's case, two other mothers represented by Chennault Legal & Consulting Group spoke in support, highlighting similar incidents involving paraprofessionals within the same school system:

• Second Case: Kasharel Forrest, the mother of Stacy Cureton III, a 13-year-old student with Autism, Down Syndrome, and ADHD. On August 3, 2023, Stacy was physically abused by paraprofessional David Lesesne and locked in a bathroom for two hours. Despite witnessing part of the incident, school administrators dismissed it as "just discipline."
• As a result, Stacy has suffered significant emotional trauma, including PTSD symptoms, regression in toileting, and fear of men. The firm has identified at least two additional minors similarly abused by Rockdale County employees, highlighting a concerning pattern of systemic abuse against special needs students. In this case, Attorney Kianna Chennault emphasized that these incidents reflect institutional failures and deliberate indifference.
• Third Case: The mother of the then 8-year-old Antonio Lyles, Yemaya Lyles, spoke who was assaulted by a paraprofessional at Pine Street Elementary on November 10, 2023. His mother, Yemaya Lyles, was not notified until three days after the incident.
• This case underscores a broader pattern of mistreatment of children with special needs within Rockdale County Public Schools. Attorney Kianna Chennault emphasized the urgency of implementing reforms to ensure student safety, accountability, and parental transparency moving forward. This lawsuit was filed in June of 2025.

Attorney Chennault emphasized that, while each case is unique, together they reflect institutional failures and deliberate indifference, particularly toward the most vulnerable students. She reiterated the firm's commitment to pursuing justice and advocating for systemic reform within Rockdale County Public Schools.

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The firm formally calls on the School District to respond in writing to its demand letter, for which the District has 30 days to respond before further legal action is pursued. "We don't want to settle quietly and be silent—we want action and lasting policy changes," said Attorney Chennault, underscoring the need for Rockdale to take this matter seriously.

About Chennault Legal Consulting Group:

The Chennault Legal and Consulting Group is a Business Litigation and Civil Rights firm located in Atlanta, GA, committed to pursuing equal justice and achieving favorable outcomes for clients of excessive force, prosecutorial misconduct, and governmental corruption. To learn more about the work of Chennault Legal Consulting Group, visit www.chennaultlaw.com.