Ex-principal sentenced for battery on Fresno student. Child’s mother reacts
The former elementary school principal who was caught on camera violently throwing a special needs student to the ground was sentenced Wednesday, but the child’s mother said he deserved jail time.
Brian Vollhardt, 53, was sentenced to a year of probation and a 52-week child abusers program after pleading “no contest” to misdemeanor battery for the June 7, 2022, incident in the Wolters Elementary School cafeteria caught in surveillance footage.
The child, who was 10 at the time and has autism, continues to be affected and requires counseling, according to his mother, Ann Frank. She addressed the court before the sentencing.
“I’ve looked at the video over and over and over again, and I’m trying to figure out what gave him the right to take and toss my child across the room like that,” she said in the courtroom, emotion evident in her voice. “Yes, I have to forgive you, because that’s what God wants me to do, but I’ll never forget the day that you tossed my son like that.”
The surveillance video released by police does not have any sound but depicts the child approaching Vollhardt, who is holding sunglasses and other items with his left hand. The child appears to be speaking to Vollhardt before the then-principal cocks his right arm and shoves the child hard enough to send him to the floor.
Outside the court, Frank said her son is now 14 and will soon start the ninth grade. She’s still affected by seeing the video.
“It brings anger, because you were a teacher, you were supposed to protect him while he was at school,” she said. “I put him in your hands and you took it upon yourself to put the law in your hands and take him and toss him across the room.”
Vollhardt worked in Fresno Unified School District for about 14 years, and started as the principal at Wolters Elementary in 2020. He has about 24 years experience in education, but has decided he will no longer work with children, according to attorney Roger Wilson.
Vollhardt also addressed the court with a “heavy heart,” reading from a prepared statement. He said he reported the incident himself and began counseling before the video became public.
“I agonize over this incident daily, and I know that I’ve destroyed any trust this student has had in adults, as well as any trust the student’s family may have,” he said. “I know that my reaction was not acceptable. It is my hope and prayer that one day I can be forgiven by the student’s family and the student.”
