Swain County teachers arrested after a joint investigation by the sheriff’s office and SBI into the alleged assault of a disabled student at East Swain Elementary School.
SWAIN COUNTY, N.C. — Things have gotten real ugly at an elementary school in Western North Carolina after three school employees were arrested in connection to the alleged assault of a disabled student.
According to the Swain County Sheriff’s Office, the arrests come after a joint investigation with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation into what allegedly happened at East Swain Elementary School.
Sheriff Brian Kirkland said the investigation started after the superintendent of Swain County Public Schools alerted authorities about concerns involving how a student with disabilities was being treated.
What investigators uncovered led to the arrests of Donita Waldroup Guest, Melody Stroupe Cloer, and Kathryn McKenna Shaver, all employees who worked with students in the school’s Exceptional Children program.
North Carolina Teacher Accused Of Sending Inappropriate Messages To 14-Year-Old Former Student
Authorities say Donita Waldroup Guest, a teacher at the school, is facing several serious charges.
She has been charged with:
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Two counts of felony assault on an individual with a disability
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Felony second-degree kidnapping
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Four counts of misdemeanor assault on an individual with a disability
Guest was booked into the Swain County Detention Center and is currently being held without bond.
Teacher’s Assistant Also Arrested
Another employee, Melody Stroupe Cloer, who worked as a teacher’s assistant, was also arrested during the investigation.
Cloer is facing one count of felony assault on an individual with a disability. Authorities say she was booked into jail under a $25,000 secured bond.
Third Educator Charged
The third person arrested is Kathryn McKenna Shaver, a teacher at the school.
Shaver has been charged with misdemeanor assault on an individual with a disability. Her bond was set at $3,000.
Program Meant To Protect Disabled Students
All three women worked in the district’s Exceptional Children department, a program designed to support students with disabilities.
According to the district’s website, the program’s mission is to make sure students with disabilities receive a proper education through specialized instruction and services tailored to their needs.
Authorities have not released full details about exactly what happened to the student.
Officials say the investigation is still ongoing.
