Mom Says Teacher Sang ‘Racist’ Birthday Song to 6-Year-Old Son

A Florida elementary school teacher is under investigation after a mother said the teacher sang a racist song to her son for his birthday.

The incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 29, at Floral Avenue Elementary School in Bartow, Fla., according to the Lakeland Ledger.

Legend Whitaker’s class and teacher were celebrating the boy’s 6th birthday when they broke out in song, CBS affiliate WTSP reported.

In a video from the classroom later shared with WTSP, Legend’s class sang to him first. His teacher then asked, “Would you like the funny song now that I sing to you?”

After Legend nodded in agreement, the teacher could be heard singing, “Happy Birthday to you. You live in the zoo, you look like a monkey, and you smell like one, too.”

Some of Legend’s fellow students giggled as the teacher said, “Give him a clap, everybody!”

But Legend said the song hurt his feelings. “I don’t like stuff like that,” he told WTSP.

The teacher emailed the video to Legend’s mom Desarae Prather, who “couldn’t believe” what she heard in the clip, according to the Ledger. Prather said she did not think the song was funny, and felt like the teacher was “being racist.”

“I don’t approve of that,” Prather said, referencing the lyrics, “and that’s you humiliating him in front of his peers. No child should have to go to school and feel like they can’t confide in an authority figure without them calling them racial slurs, and that goes for any kid, not just my child.”

The incident is now being reviewed by Polk County Public Schools’ district staff and human resources department, according to a statement shared by district officials on Facebook.

“We understand and share the concerns about the teacher’s actions and judgement,” district officials said. “As a public school system we serve students and families of all cultures and backgrounds; we expect our employees to always keep that in mind as they interact with others.”

Stephanie Yocum, president of the Polk Education Association, said the teacher involved in the incident is popular and has worked with the district for a long time, according to the Ledger.

Yocum also said the teacher, who has not been suspended as of Wednesday, Oct. 1, has received death threats in wake of the incident.

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Prather has since sent a letter to the school board asking for an apology, immediate disciplinary action and counseling for her son following the incident, according to WTSP. However, the mom said district officials have not answered her questions.

Legend reportedly has been moved to a new classroom, but has not returned to school following the incident. Now, Prather plans to transfer her son to a new school. 

“I feel like she should own up to her actions,” Prather told the Ledger. “I feel like she should write an apology to my son and my family, because it was unacceptable, and my son is going to be traumatized for life. This is going worldwide, and I feel as if she should get fired, because that’s unacceptable.”

Polk County Public Schools and relatives of Prather did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s requests for comment.