Columbus middle school teacher charged with simple battery

A Columbus middle school teacher has been charged with a single count of simple battery according to jail records. Jody Russell was charged with a misdemeanor after the alleged incident involving a student at Fort Middle School. Russell was charged November 12, 2025 and made her first court appearance a month later December 11, 2025 where she pled not guilty and the case was bound over to State court.

The mother of the special needs student told multiple media outlets the teacher choked the student, an accusation the Muscogee County School District vehemently denies.  “That is not consistent with the facts and video evidence gathered by MCSD,” according to a statement from the school district.

Russell remains employed with the school district. “MCSD promptly conducted a thorough investigation into the incident.  The investigation included interviewing eyewitnesses and reviewing video footage. Appropriate personnel action was taken in November based on the findings of that investigation,” according to the response from the school district. 

“MCSD will fully cooperate with the State Solicitor’s Office as it reviews and addresses the misdemeanor charge filed by the parents. MCSD will continue to closely monitor the situation; however, there is no new information that would lead the district to alter the decisions made in November regarding the teacher’s conduct or employment status.”