Dorchester 2: Emergency meeting after 4 arrested in abuse investigation

Dorchester 2: Emergency meeting after 4 arrested in abuse investigation
News 2
Published: November 12, 2009
Updated: November 12, 2009
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**November 12 5:30**

The Dorchester District 2 Board of Trustees has scheduled an emergency Executive Session on Thursday, November 12th at 5:30 p.m. They plan to discuss possible administrative leave or other courses of action for the 3 out 4 employees arrested in abuse investigation who still work in the district.

The charges says teaching assistant Heather Martin of Knightsville Elementary School mistreated several autistic students over an extended period of time. Among the accusations:

Pulling students off of chairs and the floor by their hair; throwing pencils and other items at students; smacking a student in the back of the head; and grabbing a students arm and genital area for sticking his hands in his pants. In all 9 counts of “unlawful neglect of child or helpless person.“

The teacher of the classroom Rebecca Crosby faces 3 of the same counts as well as 4 counts of failing to report abuse. Her arrest affidavits say she allowed Martin to mistreat students and threatened another teaching assistant with that person’s job if they reported what was happening.

Police reports say she told a witness “what happens in the classroom stays in the classroom.“

Former principal Anita Ruff-Putillion and vice principal Mary Rita Watson are both charged with failure to report abuse. Crosby, Watson, and Putillion all worked in the district up until their arrests. Martin was told to resign in October.


**November 12 1:00 pm**

Dorchester District 2 said Thursday that 3 of the 4 Knightsville Elementary educators arrested on Wednesday are not working today.

At an executive session this afternoon, the superintendant and others will meet with the lawyers to decide what kind of leave or other action might be appropriate.

The four were arrested in connection with alleged child abuse cases involving autistic students.


**November 11 6:00 pm**

All four faced a judge on Wednesday afternoon and were released on personal recognizance bonds.


**November 11 4:40 pm**

We’re told this case involves several alleged victims from 8 to 10 years old, both girls and boys. All have autism.

Heather Martin, the former teaching assistant at Knightsville Elementary is facing several charges of Unlawful Neglect toward a child.

She’s accused in an affidavit of throwing things such as pencils and paper clips at an 8-year-old autistic boy. She also is accused of putting her hands over his mouth of an autis, pulling him by the hair and grabbing his hand and genital area.

The teacher, Rebecca, Crosby is charged with failing to reporter a felony.

The Principal and Assistant Principal are both charged with failing to report abuse and neglect.


**November 11 3:00 pm**

Four former Knightsville Elementary school employees were arrested Wednesday in connection with a suspected case of child abuse.

A Dorchester District 2 spokesperson confirmed to News 2 that the four are former school principal Anita Ruth-Tutillion, former assistant principal Mary Rita Watson, former teacher Rebecca Crosby and former teaching assistant Heather Martin.

Ruth-Tutillion, Watson and Crosby have since been reassigned.

Martin is no longer with the district.

Check back for updates.


**October 21 Story**

There was an uncomfortable air surrounding surrounding Knightsville Elementary School as parents dropped off their children Wednesday morning.

“There’s a lot of questions that parents have,“ says Tiffany Johnson whose daughter attends Knightsville.

Those questions surround the decision by the district to re-assign the former Principal Anita Ruff-Putillion and Assistant Principals Mary Rita Wilson and Les Kephart to different jobs rather than possibly dismiss them for failing to report a suspected case of child abuse/neglect.

“I can’t believe they would do something like that, but if they did then how can you trust them?“ questioned another parent Tim Smith. Smith says the administrators were a pleasure to work with when he had a conflict more than a year ago involving his daughter and the school nurse. “This is a good school,“ says Smith.

Linda Hoffman, the Dorchester 2 School District director of personnel, would not offer an explanation for the decision to re-assign rather than fire, other than to reiterate the district’s public statement that an investigation lead them to conclude this was the most appropriate course of action.

Under South Carolina law (63-7-310, S.C. Code) the administrators and other school staff are compelled to report abuse even if it is just suspicions. Jim Foster, a spokesperson for the SC Dept of Education says there are not specific guidelines for the proper discipline of school officials that fail to report suspicions of abuse. It is up to the individual school districts to decide.

Foster says that if a parent has a complaint of abuse they should contact the principal of their child’s school. If they are not satisfied with the way it is handled he says you can always call your local police of the Department of Social Services. In the current case both authorities are now investigating.

Pay Raynor, a representative for Dorchester District 2 says parents who have questions or disagree with the decision to re-assign the administrators can contact her by calling either 843 873 2901 or 296 7904.

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Reader Reactions

Flag Comment Posted by a-parent on November 16, 2009 at 2:34 pm
If you have a child with an IEP then you know the daily struggles and commitments that raising a child with special needs involves. I am appalled how some people see it fit to blame the child or children for making a teachers day tiring or bad or aggravating. This is a disgrace when we cannot hold adults accountable for there actions. If they cannot handle a child who is ODD /ADHD/ Autistic or aggressive or with any type of disability then maybe they should choose to apply for another job. Abusing the children and covering it up by intimidation or what ever detailed means were taken is cowardly and inexcusable. Allowing them to go to another school is only setting up a temporary solution to a permanent problem ! It takes a village to raise a child.
Flag Comment Posted by beckyb on November 15, 2009 at 8:40 pm
There are very good teachers teaching EMD (Educatable Mentally Disabled) students in Dorchester 2. My daughter had a exceptional teracher at SES and some excellent teachers at Alston and DuBoise Middle Schools. Dorchester 2 tends not to provide adequate training for the teachers and appropiate services for the students to achieve their academic potential and to meet their needs. Lets face it that can't even provide busses that won't break down, AC on busses, even when students are riding in 90 plus degree weather, and enough busses to pick up and bring the children home at reasonable times. If you know someone who has a child in a Special Needs Class it is esential that the following statement be included in the IEP - "Seclusion, restrains and adverse interventions are never to be used." Staying involved with what is happening in the classroom, frequent communication with teachers and I, also, suggest you take your child to and pick them up from school, if at all possible. The parent must be deligent to ensure their special needs students safety! Dorchester 2 does not have a strong commitment to the education and safety of Special Education Students.
Flag Comment Posted by 192clark on November 14, 2009 at 7:15 am
I do understand when you are abused you feel this way. My point is and I stated it, the abusers need to be gotten rid of-SIBERIA. But because some children have had to experience this horrible abuse, it is not all teachers and all principals that are guilty! That is what is implied by the failing schools and failing students comment. That would be like saying all cars are clunkers because a few are clunkers. I have been held at gun point before but not everyone matching that person's description is a criminal or for that matter even has a gun. Being a victim was no fun for me either. Even a few bad apples do not spoil the whole bunch! Some does not equal all. Again the abusers should be punished, mine were never caught!
Flag Comment Posted by stac38 on November 14, 2009 at 12:05 am
Unless you or your family has had a child on the receiving end of school abuse you can't possibly understand the anger,disappointment,and hurt you feel over your child.The law says we have to send our kids to school,most of us do not have the luxury of private or home schooling.In making this a law our children should never have to suffer abuse.These teachers and principals involved would have lied to the parents face had they not been caught in the act.It is the schools fault.At this rate there won't be to many people unaffected by this abuse.My son had enough to deal with trying to understand his disability without being called names,screamed at,falsely accused,and made to sit in an isolated room for hours.A staff member can walk away from this abuse my child could not,so forgive me for not sympathizing with the teachers and principals.A title attached to a name does not make the person.
Flag Comment Posted by beckyb on November 13, 2009 at 11:38 pm
How fitting to see Dorchester 2 Personnel who abused children and specifically children who have disabilities in handcuffs! The vast majority of their behaviors are a manifestation of their disability. When we moved here and placed our child in Newington Elem. on her 3rd she she was enclosed in a white room with no furniture and the door shut on her for failure to put her glasses in a designated area. This was done with the principals approval. Seclusion and confinement was extremly frightening for a child who has mental retardation, Attention Deficit Disorder and Obssesive Compulsive Disorder. I'm sure that any child would of been terrified on their 3rd day in a new school. Our children are a minority, few local voices speak out for them. Yes, there are Federal Laws but Dorchester School District 2 has no problems skirting them. A highly qualified teacher could have absolutely no teaching experience. If a child has a bad ride home on the bus after a long and tiring day at school they want to put the child in a restraining harness. Dorchester 2 has reassigned the personnel, who considered abuse acceptable, to other schools. Do you want these individuals teaching or in anyway involved with your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew? My child received Special Education in two states prior to my husband accepting employment here. These barbaric practices were never used, tolerated and in Pa. actually outlawed!! Children with specials needs are at the mercy of the public education system, private education is not an option, even if their parent could afford it. Jesus said "What you do for the least of me you do for me." Thank you Summerville Police for not being intimidated by the school district and please People of Summerville find it in your heart to protect and stand up for the residents and students of Summerville who need you the most!
Flag Comment Posted by 192clark on November 13, 2009 at 7:56 pm
While abuse in any form is wrong, I find it amazing that those that have commented on this issue blame the school district because of failing schools and failing grades. One person even said the schools should stop blaming parents and students. I will reiterate that abuse is wrong and should be dealt with accordingly. Society as a whole has gone downhill since I was a student 30+ years ago. I am really irritated that unfair treatment of a few individuals causes parents to lash out at the school district as a whole. I am related to a teacher, and the stories that I am told about the behavior of the children in school is ghastly at best. There are children that do not do their work, sleep in class, talk over teachers .... Many times when these same children get in trouble at school or fail because of cutting class, not doing their work in class and the thought of homework is just a bother to them and their parents,some- how the parents, when called in for meetings, find some way to put the blame on the teachers. Parents are not parenting their children anymore. When I was in school and the school said I did something, I got a paddling at school (1st deterent). Then when I got home, my parents did not question the school as to the accuracy of the charge against me. I got a belt across my butt (2nd deterent). Then my father got home and guess what? I got the belt across the butt again (3rd deterent). How many times did I do that same thing that got me into trouble in the first place? I will tell you: not again because my poor behavior was not met with "poor little student." It was corectly met with a deterent-namely the belt! What I am getting at here is yes the schools do have some people working there that should probably work in Siberia.However, if we want to get this country and our students headed in the right direction, parents need to pick the belt up once again. The Bible says "Spare the Rod and spoil the child." Look at the children today and tell me honestly: Are they ready to be productive members of society? No! Every excuse has been made for their poor grades, poor behavior and poor attitudes. I have even heard it said that if a kid makes a 30 on his/her report card, teachers cannot put anything lower than a 60. So the person that struggles and earns the 60 gets no better grade than the delinquent that does not come to class prepared or do his/her work. This is supposedly so that a child's self-esteem is not damaged. BULL!!!! What that child needs is a good, old- fashioned trip to the wood shed! Those of you parents that teach your children respect for others and enforce consequences for poor performance, I applaud you and your children! Your children will grow up to be an asset to society. For all of you parents that do not parent and think you should be your child's friend, here is the legacy you are leaving: The rest of us will have to pay for the jails and the welfare that will sustain YOUR children that YOU chose to have and let the schools raise. Here is my final comment: While I did not like the school calling home and I certainly did not like the application of the paddle and two belts those days, I must say I deserved it everytime. As a result, I am better today because my parents did it right. When I grew up there was no excuse for poor behavior..
Flag Comment Posted by stac38 on November 11, 2009 at 10:21 pm
My son who was in special ed for emotional disabilities in dd2 for the past 3 years was also abused by 2 principals on a daily basis.My complaints were ignored then met with court papers in retaliation.It is about time the abuse and cover up in dd2 is investigated and stopped.These people who are there to educate have no idea how to deal with these special needs children.Or they just don't care.It's to late for my son we both gave up and he dropped out.Oh he'll get his GED but we won't exp. cap and gown.This abuse has to stop in all dd2 schools.Maybe this has something to do with the high drop out rate.I witnessed many students being mistreated in many ways,and the people involved were never worried that parents were watching.Good luck parents.
Flag Comment Posted by jswanson on October 23, 2009 at 10:42 am
My grandson was also abused two years ago at Knightsville under the same administration. I went to the school with my daughter and grandson to report the abuse to Principal Anita Ruff expecting that it would be handled properly and that she would be cocerned that this had happened to him. Instead the aduser was assigned to another special needs child without any investigation by the principal and any concern for the safety of the other child. Mr. Kephart rudely treated my daughter as if she was the problem. She next contacted Superintendent Joe Pye and nothing was done about the abuse. We need to be assured that children, especially special needs children are safe in our schools. These incidents of abuse cannot be "swept under the rug" any longer. Parents need to expect and demand more accountability from the administration. I for one am very disappointed with the treatment my grandson and daughter received after reporting the abuse.
Flag Comment Posted by stac38 on October 21, 2009 at 7:14 pm
There is alot of abuse and cover up going on in DD2 schools.Had this been a student or parent breaking the rules we'd be in court facing charges.This abuse going on is why our schools are failing,it's time to hold these schools accountable and stop blaming parents and students.

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