Oklahoma School Workers Arrested After Alleged Attacks on Young Students Months Apart

Two elementary school teachers in Elgin, Oklahoma, are accused of assaulting students in separate incidents just months apart.

Elizabeth Kay Sutton, 38, was charged with a misdemeanor count of assault and battery and arrested, according to the Lawton Constitution.

She appeared in the Comanche County District Court on April 1.

The crime is punishable by up to one year in the county jail and/or fine up to $2,000.

Similarly, personal care assistant Ottoria McClung was also charged with assault and battery.

Elgin Police Officer Jessica Hedges said that she was called shortly before 10:45 a.m. on January 8 by principal Gabe Winn about an incident at the second grade building. Sutton allegedly grabbed a 10-year-old student and pushed him into his seat and then struck him.

The surveillance camera at the school captured Sutton moving her arm toward the child’s face, and him trying to turn his head away from her side.

Video evidence showed Sutton striking the boy’s face with such an impact that his head snapped back, The New York Post reported.

Sutton reportedly also drew a red mark on the victim’s face after he returned to class from his lunch break.

Sutton, who was fired from her post, reportedly told investigators that the student “had been difficult since returning to school after the break”.

She said she never meant to hurt the boy and that she used training mechanisms taught to paraprofessionals.

Sutton pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In a separate incident on March 13, a personal care assistant at the same elementary school was caught carrying a 5-year-old student in a chokehold down a hallway.

A witness alleged the child’s face was red and he was crying and hitting McClung’s arm when she reportedly said, “I can’t deal with this.”

McClung, 37, was also arrested and fired following the incident.

Superintendent Nate Meraz said “all of the appropriate authorities were notified immediately,” and assured parents that “all employees must pass a background check and professional references are called prior to employment.”

“Both of these instances were reported to administration by fellow employees which reflects the culture of accountability here,” Meraz said.

“My philosophy on personnel is this: If we have reasonable hesitation in the interview process, we will not employ you. Once employed, if you harm a student, you will be terminated. We are here to educate kids in a safe environment. Elgin Public Schools’ highest priority is the safety and well-being of its students.”

Both Sutton and McClung are scheduled to appear in court on May 20 as the cases move forward.