A mother in Polk County, Florida, is demanding answers after she says her son’s elementary school teacher made a hurtful birthday gesture.

According to 11Alive, Legend Whitaker had just turned 6 years old when his teacher and classmates at Floral Avenue Elementary in Bartow sang to him. But instead of a traditional “Happy Birthday,” the teacher sang, “Happy Birthday to you. You live in the zoo, you look like a monkey, and you smell like one too.”

“I don't like stuff like that,” Whitaker said, explaining that the words hurt his feelings.

His mother, Desarae Prather, said the teacher even sent her the video of the moment. She went straight to the school’s office after seeing it. “I automatically said, 'There's nothing funny about it, and I don't think that the kids thought that was funny,’” Prather said.

Prather explained why the lyrics were especially painful. 

“My skin is boiling. I don't even like racism, and to know where we come from, and our ancestors and for us to be labeled like that, because when they call us, 'Monkey,' they're saying we're ugly; we act like monkeys. Those are remarks I don't like it at all,” she said.

Polk County Public Schools said the incident is being reviewed by district staff and human resources. 10 Tampa Bay News asked if this was the first time the teacher had sung that version of the song, and if the teacher would remain in the classroom during the investigation, but no answers were given. 

“I don't play games about my child,” Prather said. She wrote to the school board asking for an apology, counseling for her son, and disciplinary action. When she didn’t hear back, she showed up in person. “They kept saying it's an active investigation. They can't answer any questions,” she said.

Prather said her son has since been moved to another classroom, but he hasn’t returned to school. She now plans to transfer him elsewhere.