In a troubling development from Bryson City, North Carolina, three employees of East Swain Elementary School have been arrested on charges related to the alleged assault of students with disabilities. The Swain County Sheriff’s Office, along with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, initiated the probe after the Swain County Public Schools Superintendent raised concerns about the treatment of these students in a specialized education classroom.
The investigation began when Superintendent Mark Sale contacted law enforcement about potential mistreatment of a student with a disability. Sheriff Brian Kirkland revealed that the inquiry uncovered disturbing instances of possible abuse involving multiple children. According to investigators, at least five students may have been affected, with the three staff members facing charges connected to individual alleged victims.
The incidents in question reportedly took place in mid-February and involved students being struck, restrained, and subjected to "forced feeding." The severity of some actions was such that they could have resulted in "serious injury or serious damage on an individual with a disability," as reported by The Herald. The accused are Donita Waldroup Guest, Melody Stroupe Cloer, and Kathryn McKenna Shaver, all of whom were part of the school’s Department of Exceptional Children, serving students with special needs.
Guest, whose charges are the most severe, has been indicted on two counts of felony assault on an individual with a disability, one count of felony second-degree kidnapping, and four counts of misdemeanor assault on a disability. She is being held at the Swain County Detention Center without bond. Cloer, a teacher’s assistant, faces one count of felony assault on an individual with a disability and was detained under a $25,000 bond. Shaver, a teacher, has been charged with one misdemeanor count of assault on an individual with a disability, with law enforcement officials setting her bond at $3,000, as reported by WYFF.
In response to these events, school officials verified the arrests and outlined the district's immediate reporting of the concerns to authorities. Superintendent Sale emphasized in a statement that while specific details could be disclosed by law enforcement, the school district is bound by confidentiality laws concerning students and employees. He also stated that the three employees have been placed on leave pending further inquiries.
As the district pledges full cooperation with the ongoing investigation, it remains focused on supporting students. Sheriff Kirkland has expressed deep concern over the allegations, underscoring the seriousness of the charges and the commitment to protect the community's vulnerable children. He reassured the public about the thoroughness of the investigation aimed at ensuring accountability.
The investigation is currently active, with detectives reviewing evidence and contemplating additional charges. The revelation of this case has sparked a public outcry, as seen on social media platforms such as Twitter, where an account named Libs of TikTok has shared details about the case, emphasizing the gravity of the alleged abuse.
