HOUSTON -- Teachers, parents and students gathered Thursday night to show support for a southeast Houston principal accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a child.

The 14-year-old eighth-grader claims he spent a weekend at the Ryan Middle School principal's home. His family thought he was there because the principal was taking the teenager to a track meet. He and the principal said the visit was not sexual.

"Now, am I saying that the principal did everything 100 percent correct in today's politically correct society? No. But none of us are perfect," said Quanell X of the New Black Panther Nation. "That little brother said, 'She did nothing to me but help me.' He said, 'I always wanted a cell phone. And she got me a cell phone.' He said, 'When I didn't have a ride, she gave me a ride. When I didn't have lunch money, they didn't care that I didn't have any lunch money, but she made sure I had something to eat.' That is a principal."

The boy's family has questions about the relationship.

"We're very upset about it because it's inappropriate for any adult to have a relationship with a child," the boy's cousin said.

KPRC Local 2 is not identifying the principal because she does not face any charges.

However, she has been reassigned to desk duty at Houston Independent School District headquarters while the district's inspector general investigates.

The principal did not attend the meeting. Her mother said the decision was made with the help of her attorney.

"This has really taken a toll on her emotionally. However, I want you all to know that she has already prevailed and will continue to be the superstar that I reared her to be," the principal's mother said.

The principal did not attend Thursday night's meeting because she said it was at the advice of her lawyer.