Three employees at a North Carolina elementary school are facing criminal charges after an investigation uncovered allegations that students with disabilities were assaulted inside a specialized education classroom.
The alleged abuse took place at East Swain Elementary School in Bryson City, where three staff members were taken into custody after a joint investigation by the Swain County Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.
Authorities said the probe began when the superintendent of Swain County Public Schools contacted law enforcement about concerns involving the treatment of a student with a disability.
Sheriff Brian Kirkland said the investigation uncovered possible mistreatment involving several children.
Investigators believe five students may have been affected, with charges against the three employees tied to separate alleged victims.
According to arrest warrants, the alleged incidents occurred in mid-February and involved students being struck, restrained, and subjected to what investigators described as “forced feeding.”
Authorities reviewing the case said some actions were severe enough that they could have caused “serious injury or serious damage on an individual with a disability,” The Herald reported.
Investigators identified the suspects as Donita Waldroup Guest, Melody Stroupe Cloer, and Kathryn McKenna Shaver, who worked in the school’s Department of Exceptional Children program serving students with disabilities.
Guest faces the most serious allegations, according to WLOS.
She has been charged with two counts of felony assault on an individual with a disability, one count of felony second-degree kidnapping, and four counts of misdemeanor assault on an individual with a disability.
Authorities say she was booked into the Swain County Detention Center without bond.
Cloer, identified as a teacher’s assistant, was charged with one count of felony assault on an individual with a disability and was held under a $25,000 bond. Shaver, a teacher, faces one misdemeanor count of assault on an individual with a disability and received a $3,000 bond, according to law enforcement officials, WYFF reported.
School officials confirmed the arrests and said the district reported the concerns to authorities.
In a statement, Superintendent Mark Sale said the district cannot release additional details due to confidentiality laws protecting students and employees.
“Today, three employees were arrested by the Swain County Sheriff’s Office and charged with various crimes related to their employment at East Swain Elementary School,” Sale said. “These charges result from a report by the Swain County Schools to law enforcement.”
“Although the Sheriff’s Department can release certain details, including the names and specific charges, the Swain County Schools cannot provide additional details because, under federal and State law, students and employees are entitled to confidentiality from the school system. All three employees are on leave pending further investigation.”
The district added that it has fully cooperated with investigators and emphasized that supporting students remains the school’s priority as the case moves forward.
Sheriff Kirkland said authorities are continuing to investigate and stressed the seriousness of the accusations involving vulnerable students.
“These allegations are deeply concerning, particularly when they involve the safety and well-being of children in our community,” Kirkland said. “We take all reports of abuse seriously, and we are committed to conducting thorough investigations to ensure accountability and protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Authorities said the investigation remains active as detectives continue reviewing evidence and determining whether additional charges could follow.
