Nationwide — Alayne Pierce-Collins, a 37-year-old African American teacher from Chicago, Illinois, faces charges after allegedly beating and choking a 12-year-old student inside a South Side classroom. The case marks at least the sixth Chicago Public Schools employee accused this school year of assaulting students.
Pierce-Collins now faces felony charges of aggravated battery of a child causing great bodily harm and aggravated battery by strangulation. Prosecutors say the allegations involve a violent classroom attack that left a student seriously injured.
According to CWB Chicago, authorities said the incident happened on December 12, 2025, at Pershing Magnet School on South Calumet Avenue in Chicago’s Douglas neighborhood. The school is part of the Chicago Public Schools system.
Court records state Pierce-Collins grabbed the student inside the classroom, dragged him, and struck him multiple times in the face. A Chicago police report said she hit the boy “numerous times,” leaving him with bruising, swelling around one eye, and cuts on both sides of his face.
Prosecutors also alleged that Pierce-Collins placed the student in a chokehold during the incident, restricting his breathing. Students and school staff reportedly witnessed parts of the attack.
Pierce-Collins appeared in court before Judge Rivanda Doss Beal, who denied prosecutors’ request to detain her before trial. She was released with standard conditions, including an order to stay away from the student involved.
Chicago Public Schools has not issued a public comment regarding the case.