In a startling incident at Arsenal Elementary in Lawrenceville, a Pittsburgh mother, Tori Yager, is seeking answers and accountability after her fourth-grade son, Torrie, had his hair cut without her permission. The unauthorized haircut, part of a program run by Abdul Rahim, has left Yager shocked and confused.
Yager, initially thinking her son’s hair was cut by a fellow student, discovered that the school hosted a program where barbers, including Rahim, provide services. However, Yager insists she was never informed or given a permission slip for such activities.
Abdul Rahim, self-identified as a mentor and celebrity barber, posted videos of himself cutting hair within the school on social media. Yager expressed dissatisfaction with her son’s image being used on Rahim’s social media accounts without her consent.
Torrie, who had never previously undergone a haircut, experienced an allergic reaction resulting in bumps along his hairline. Yager promptly took him to Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Contact Dermatitis.
Yager is currently engaged in discussions with school officials and has attempted to contact Rahim directly. However, her attempts to communicate with Rahim have been unsuccessful.
Despite Channel 11’s efforts to reach Rahim for comments via phone, text, and social media, there has been no response. The news channel also reached out to Pittsburgh Public Schools, receiving the following statement:
“A mentoring program has been paused after the provider implemented parts of the program without consulting school staff. The ‘Undaworld Mobile Service Youth Programming’ is designed to expose young men to the day-to-day work of barbers and the specific skills related to entrepreneurship. As the incident involves a minor, no further information is available.”
Yager emphasizes that her primary concern is that her son’s experience cannot be reversed, and no one had obtained her permission for the haircut. The incident has prompted a closer examination of the school’s mentoring program and the need for improved communication with parents regarding such activities involving students.
