Phila. woman held in attack on Glenolden School staff

A noncustodial mother who wanted to take her child from a Delaware County school was arrested Thursday after she assaulted two Glenolden School officials, authorities said.

Lawanda Myrick, 29, of the 100 block of Conestoga Street in Philadelphia, was charged with aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, and recklessly endangering another person. She was held in the Delaware County jail with bail set at $50,000.

Interboro School District Superintendent Lois Snyder said there had never been an attack on school staff before. "There was no indication she would resort to what happened," Snyder said.

According to court documents, Myrick went to the school before 9 a.m. Thursday to give a birthday present to her son. She then returned twice, asking to have the child pulled from class. School officials denied her request and Myrick left, saying "she was probably going to jail today."

She went back to the office and attacked the dean of students, throwing her against a wall and onto the floor, punching her, choking her, and pulling out hair. A secretary was also attacked and thrown to the floor, court documents said. School officials said Myrick was on top of both women when a third school official tried to pull her off. Myrick then ran out of the school and was arrested a few blocks away.

Both school officials were treated at Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park and released.

Court records show Myrick pleaded guilty to harassment in 2004 and got probation.