ATTLEBORO, MASS. (WHDH) – An elementary school teacher in Attleboro has been arrested for allegedly slapping two students.
Susan Martin, 57, of Kingston, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability.
Attleboro police were contacted by a school administrator from the Thacher Elementary School in Attleboro reporting that a staff member allegedly assaulted multiple students.
“The initial investigation revealed that multiple staff members at the school witnessed [Martin], a licensed special education classroom teacher, physically assault students on at least two separate occasions that day,” Attleboro police said in a statement.
“One 5-year-old student was reportedly slapped in the face by Martin at approximately 11:55 AM, and another 5-year-old student was reportedly pushed and slapped by Martin at approximately 1:00 PM. Both victims are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder,” police continued.
According to authorities, both incidents were witnessed by “several other staff members” and occurred “in a classroom setting.”
Staff members told police the children were sitting and trying to stand up when they were struck.
“The allegations represent a profound betrayal of the trust our community places in educators and the values we hold dear as a public school district,” said Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer.
“We have taken this situation very seriously since it was brought to our attention, and we are committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners in their ongoing investigation,” he continued.
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