Several employees at Knightsville Elementary School in Summerville, South Carolina have been charged in connection with supposed child abuse of an autistic student that took place at the school.
Teacher aide Heather Martin is accused of covering the nose and mouth of an autistic student to keep her quiet, dragging another student by the hair, throwing school supplies at another child, and grabbing another student in the genital area.
Former principal and vice principal of the school, Anita Ruff-Putillion and Mary Rita Watson are each accused of one charge of failing to report child abuse or neglect. A teacher at the school, Rebecca Jeanette Piersol Crosby faces three charges of neglect and four charges of failure to report a crime.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the accusations come from another teacher who says she witnessed the abuse. Police continue to investigate the incident.
School should be a place where children feel safe, and where parents can feel comfortable sending their children. Any type of abuse by caretakers of children is unacceptable and should be dealt with by consulting an experienced attorney and taking legal action.
Source: Live 5 News- “Teacher aide accused of abusing autistic child”- November 11, 2009.
