Pupils allegedly forced to eat off floor

NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- The assistant principal of a New York elementary school has been demoted after allegedly forcing 12 students to eat lunch from the cafeteria floor.

The New York Daily News reports Nancy Miller was demoted to "teacher" status but education officials say she is not doing any teaching duties after allegedly forcing a dozen Haitian students to each off the floor with their hands.

New York Department of Education spokeswoman Margie Feinberg said they are trying to fire Miller.

Miller, formerly the principal of Public School 34 in Queens Village, allegedly forced the kids to eat from the floor after breaking up a fight in the cafeteria between two 4th graders.

Witnesses claim she called them animals as they were forced to eat chicken and rice from the floor.

Attorney Sanford Rubenstein said Tuesday he will file a lawsuit against the city and Miller.