GREENSBURG – The parents of a St. Helena student who was attacked by her teacher are pushing for an increased punishment against the teacher.

Carlos Burns said his 13-year-old daughter came home from St. Helena Career and College Academy with clumps of hair on Wednesday after her teacher, Ambria Cook, assaulted her.

“She texted me first and said, ‘Daddy, my hair is gone. She ripped my hair out,'” he said. “It’s heartbreaking. She’s a girl with pretty hair.”

Burns said his daughter has a special education plan for special needs and behavioral issues. Parents said the girl was teased by her teacher and hit Cook first.

“She’s a good kid, but if you corner her and she feels threatened, she’ll lash out at you. I think the teachers knew that. I think she was provoking her to see how far she would go, and that’s what happened,” Burns said.

Burns said the situation should never have escalated.

“Get help and don’t start arguing with her again. You’re in your twenties and my daughter is 13 – half your age – so that part shouldn’t have happened,” Burns said.

He said his daughter was in therapy to help her regulate emotional outbursts.

“She did what her therapist told her, she shut herself off and was quiet, and (Cook) kept talking and kept going,” Burns said.

Burns said Superintendent Kelli Joseph was the one who called for the teacher’s arrest and that she stood by her side throughout the process.

Cook was arrested for simple assault.

“I’ve spoken to the superintendent in St. Helena and she thinks it should be more. We’re both going to work together and try to press charges,” Burns said.

Cook’s court date is set for October. As of Sunday, no charges have been filed against the student.

“First and foremost, it is important to recognize that both parties were in the wrong. As educators, we have a responsibility to de-escalate situations, not escalate them. Our role is to guide and support our students even in conflict situations. On the other hand, students should also understand that physically attacking a teacher is not acceptable under any circumstances. This incident is a stark reminder of what we must avoid when dealing with them,” Superintendent Joseph said in a statement.