Teacher Accused of Cutting Child’s Hair Without Parent’s Consent

Leah Prinzivalli
Is a teacher allowed to cut a child's hair without the parent okaying? (Photo: Getty Images)
Is a teacher allowed to cut a child’s hair without the parent’s OK? (Photo: Getty Images)

The mother of 7-year-old Dominic Brandon is moving her son to a new school after the child’s teacher allegedly cut his hair without permission. The teacher decided that Dominic needed shorter hair and took the cut into his own hands. According to News West via the CBC, Dominic, of Ottawa, Canada, is autistic and in a special-needs class.

The teacher had allegedly made repeated calls to the boy’s mother, Miriam, asking permission to cut Dominic’s shoulder-length hair. “I didn’t think it’s hurting anyone for him to grow his hair out, so when a teacher kept persisting that I cut his hair, I was like, ‘No, I don’t need to get his hair cut. That’s OK,’” Miriam Brandon said.

Brandon reiterated that she did not give consent for the teacher to touch her child’s hair. “For a teacher to grab scissors and cut a child’s hair, that takes away my son’s voice, and it takes away my voice as a parent,” she continued.

The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has issued an apology about the haircut that terms the incident “an unusual practice.” The district has started an investigation — according to Brandon, other teachers were present at the time and didn’t stop the haircut.

For now, the teacher is on “home assignment” and Brandon is moving her son to another school.

This unsanctioned haircut is just the latest in a slew of viral stories about schools getting involved in their students’ hair choices. In Gulfport, Miss., one student is fighting back after a suspension for pink hair. In Louisville, Ky., a high school has rules against dreadlocks, Afros of more than 2 inches, and cornrows. The good news: Students and parents aren’t afraid to fight for their right to free expression — and good hair.

Yahoo Beauty has reached out to the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for comment, and we will update this post if we hear back.

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