Mom outraged over son's strip search at school

SAMPSON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Sampson County mother is outraged and angry that her 10-year-old son was strip searched at school.

The Superintendent of Sampson County Schools Dr. Ethan Lenker told ABC11 Tuesday that the Assistant Principal Teresa Holmes did not follow policy when she strip searched the third grader.

Justin Cox was forced to undress down to his underwear before Holmes and a male janitor at Union Elementary.

Justin was accused to taking money from a classmate. The strip search was done in the Holmes' office. Holmes later apologized and told Cox's mother that she had no legal right to strip search her son.

Justin said he was humiliated.

The school superintendent agreed. Lenker said the parent should have been notified first.

Lenker said he will make sure everyone from principals, assistant principals and teachers know what the policy is during back to school meetings before school starts up again.

Justin will attend a different school next year and hopes for a fresh new start.

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