Eunice High Assistant Principal Arrested for Child Cruelty

An assistant principal at Eunice High School has been arrested and accused of cruelty to a juvenile, battery on an officer and resisting arrest.

Brett Andrew Semien, 45, of Church Point was booked into the St. Landry Parish Sheriff Jail on charges of Cruelty to a Juvenile (Felony), Resisting Arrest (Misdemeanor) and Simple Battery on a Police Officer (Misdemeanor).

According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, deputies were called to the 900 block of Joe W Road in Church Point on Sunday to investigate a complaint of child cruelty.

Upon arrival, deputies spoke to the 14-year-old juvenile victim and his father, Brett Andrew Semien. The victim stated that his father was extremely upset when he went into the house to say he'd seen a snake but had taken his eyes off the snake. The victim had been bitten before by a snake and was allergic to the anti-venom, the sheriff said.

After that incident, Simien and his son allegedly went to the pasture to bush hog it, but the boy couldn't connect the bush hog arms. Semien once again grew angry with his son, got off the tractor, and punched his son in the stomach, knocking the air from his lungs making it hard to breathe.

The victim then stated that his father struck him a second time in the stomach, knocking him to the ground, and causing him to "black out." The victim said that while he remained on the ground, his father kicked him in the chest.

While deputies were seeking medical treatment for the victim, they claim that Semien walked underneath the carport and became upset that deputies were talking to his children. He was asked several times by deputies to wait by the four-wheeler but became upset and advised the deputy that was not going to talk to his kids. Simien instructed his children to go inside the residence.

Deputies say Semien approached the screened in patio door and was told remain outside multiple times. He allegedly refused and was escorted back to the four-wheeler where he became very angry and was advised of his rights.

When asked if he understood his rights, Semien volunteered to remain silent and did not wish to speak. He was told multiple times to stand up and initially refused, and then began removing his cell phone from his pocket. As Semien was approached by deputies, he allegedly refused to follow the deputy's orders to turn around. Deputies say Semien then stated that he had a firearm on him and finally complied.

However, when instructed to place his hands on his head, Semien allegedly began walking away. The deputy once again attempted to place Semien in handcuffs and he once again resisted, striking the deputy in the chest area. After several commands to stop resisting, Semien complied and the firearm was removed from his waistband.

Semien was transported to the parish jail for booking.

"The fact that Semien was armed while he was passively then "forcibly" resisting arrest and not complying with the commands of a deputy trying to render aid to a juvenile victim could have resulted in a deadly force encounter," Sheriff Guidroz said. "I would like to thank both Semien and my deputy in remaining calm and deescalating the situation. I urge everyone to comply with the lawful orders of an officer and if there is a problem the way a law enforcement officer handles a situation, to report it to their administration.”