Mixed emotions at board meeting over Redcliffe Elementary abuse claims
AIKEN COUNTY, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - An investigation is underway into allegations of an Aiken County teacher physically and verbally abused children at Redcliffe Elementary School.
The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office is partnered with the school district in the investigation.
The Aiken County Public School District , along with community , gave their input on the investigation in Tuesday’s board meeting.
There were mixed emotions, with parents saying they’ve had nothing but positive experiences with the school, to others outlining claims of abuse from staff and calling for something to be done.
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In October, a Redcliffe Elementary parent filed a police report after an incident with a teacher alleging a student was dragged across the playground and put in a room to calm down.
The incident report also claims the teacher shoved the child on the ground multiple times, leaving red marks on his arm, and bruising on his back.
“A man who physically abused multiple children, including my child. At Radcliffe, while he was there as a paraprofessional working with students with disabilities,” the parent says.
Emily Satterfield says after the incident took place, the teacher was welcomed back to the school to volunteer for a school activity.
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“When brought to the s’ attention, it was stated that they had no clue he was there. This put every single child there at Redcliffe at risk of abuse and neglect, possibly triggering those that he previously hurt,” Satterfield explained.
Another parent of a Redcliffe Elementary schooler spoke to share her experience with the school, saying the incident has led to negative rumors.
“Talks of gang violence and stuff with elementary school kids it’s just crazy. So, I just want to say that I have no issues, and my daughter is loved there, she is excelling.”
News 12 uncovered in another police report that an employee came forward to Aiken County Deputies about their concerns with another teacher physically and verbally abusing children.
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In another instance, another person reported to police about a juvenile victim being abused by a teacher saying they forced students into corners for extended periods of time and grab their hands by the wrists and force them to slap themselves on the hands, according to incident reports.
The names of the teachers in these reports are redacted so we don’t know if there are complaints against one teacher or multiple.
Jim Broome, the representative for District 2, which includes Redcliffe Elementary, tells us that the investigation is ongoing.
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