Current:Home > InvestSchool workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse -WealthMindset Learning
School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
View
Date:2025-04-13 06:13:12
Three employees at a Delaware elementary school have been arrested and are accused of abusing children in a special needs classroom following a police investigation.
The Smyrna Police Department said in a statement last week that Makayla Lomax, 31, and Marissa Johnson, 26, both of Smyrna, and Morgan Donahue, 21, of Clayton have all been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Lomax has also been charged with third-degree child abuse and offensive touching.
Police began investigating allegations of abuse at Smyrna Elementary School in February, 2024, according to the school district.
Abuse investigation:3 arrested on charges of elder abuse, Medicaid fraud in separate Arkansas cases
'Hot sauce and hot takis': Multiple allegations of abuse
According to police, the investigation revealed employees in the special needs classroom would, "allegedly throw objects at the students, yell at them, and call them names."
The investigation also alleged that Lomax struck one student in the face and also sprayed the student with a water bottle "as a form of discipline."
A separate incident from an unspecified date in the Fall of 2022 was also detailed in the police report, alleging that Johnson and Donahue had fed "hot sauce and hot Takis to a special needs student who had a known digestive disorder."
The Delaware News Journal reported last week that But a Smyrna District employee salary website revealed:
- Donahue was listed as a substitute elementary teacher in 2023.
- Lomax has been an instructional paraeducator and substitute teacher from 2022 to this year.
- Johnson had different positions from 2020 until recently, including elementary specialist, substitute elementary teacher, and instructional paraeducator.
Johnson was ultimately charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Lomax with nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child as well as one count each of third-degree child abuse and offensive touching, and Donahue with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, according to police.
Both Lomax and Johnson have preliminary court hearings scheduled for Nov. 15, while Donahue's arraignment is currently scheduled for Dec. 19.
It was unclear whether any of the three suspects had entered pleas as of Nov. 11 or retained lawyers.
"The relevant employees have not been in the presence of our students since the district was made aware of the alleged wrongdoing," the Smyrna School District said in an official statement on Nov. 6. "Most individuals alleged to be involved no longer work for the District. With regard to the remaining employees, the District will honor employee privacy rights with regard to separation of employment, and we will make our reports to the Department of Education’s Division of Licensure and Certification."
Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com
veryGood! (758)
Related
- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow owns a $3 million Batmobile Tumbler
- He paid Virgin Galactic $200,000 for a few minutes in space. The trip left him speechless.
- DEI attacks pose threats to medical training, care
- A pair of UK museums return gold and silver artifacts to Ghana under a long-term loan arrangement
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- How To Tech: Why it’s important to turn on Apple’s new Stolen Device Protection
- Do Stanley cups contain lead? What you should know about claims, safety of the tumblers
- Twitter reacts to Jim Harbaugh becoming the next head coach of the LA Chargers
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- 6-legged dog abandoned at grocery successfully undergoes surgery to remove extra limbs
Ranking
- Former Syrian official arrested in California who oversaw prison charged with torture
- Justin Timberlake will perform a free concert in New York City: How to score tickets
- Former Los Angeles Dodgers star Steve Garvey swings for long shot US Senate win in California
- Jennifer Grey's Dirty Dancing Memory of Patrick Swayze Will Lift You Up
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Senator Tammy Duckworth calls on FAA to reject Boeing's request for safety waiver for the 737 Max 7
- A US Congressional delegation affirms bipartisan support for Taiwan in first visit since election
- 'Still calling them Toro Rosso': F1 team's rebrand to Visa Cash App RB leaves fans longing
Recommendation
Why we love Bear Pond Books, a ski town bookstore with a French bulldog 'Staff Pup'
Freed Israeli hostage says she met a Hamas leader in a tunnel, where she was kept in dire conditions
Olympian Maricet Espinosa González Dead at 34
Coco Gauff falls to Aryna Sabalenka in Australian Open semifinal
New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
House investigators scrutinize Rep. Matt Gaetz's defunct federal criminal sex trafficking probe
'Feud: Capote vs. The Swans': Premiere date, cast, trailer, what to know about new season
Transgender veterans sue to have gender-affirming surgery covered by Department of Veteran Affairs