Tag Archives: Physical Abuse

Child Abuse, Child Innocence, Physical Abuse, School Official, Special Needs, Teacher

What law is Horry SC principal accused of breaking? Reporting child abuse is mandatory

.jpg photo of child abuse graphic
Special needs Children were hit multiple times.

Unlawful neglect of a child is a felony charge in South Carolina. It can be punished by up to 10 years in prison.

Updated November 06, 2022

An Horry County elementary school principal was arrested this week after police determined she failed to properly report suspected child abuse as part of a law designed to catch potential abuses as early as possible.

Rebecca Schroyer, principal of Ocean Bay Elementary, is facing two counts of failing to report child abuse of neglect, as defined by South Carolina’s mandated reporter law.  The misdemeanor charges each carry a penalty of up to six months in prison and/or a $500 fine.  She was placed on administrative leave Tuesday.

Schroyer’s arrest came in conjunction with charges against special education teacher Grace McColgan, who was accused of unlawful conduct toward children related to multiple occasions during the current and past school year.

Attorney Morgan Martin, who is representing Schroyer, described the charges against his client as an “overreach” by law enforcement because he believes the principal was “vigilant” in her actions, and didn’t violate the law.  He didn’t say what actions Schroyer took, and the warrants for her arrest don’t offer many details either.

Each failure to report charge stems from alleged incidents of abuse in February, when McColgan placed hand sanitizer in a child’s open wound and hit a child back after the child hit her, the warrants state.  The reports do not detail how police determined Schroyer knew about these abuses or whether she did anything with that information.

Child Abuse, Child Innocence, Physical Abuse, School Official, Special Needs, Teacher

Hand sanitizer used on a wound and hitting students

.jpg photo of child abuse and neglect graphicA SC teacher and principal in question.

November 03, 2022

The Horry County Police Department arrested an elementary school teacher and a principal Wednesday morning.

Rebecca Schroyer, 47, who is the principal at Ocean Bay Elementary School, is accused of two counts of failing to report a child neglect allegation for an incident that happened during the 2021-22 school year.

The alleged incident, which happened in February, involved a teacher “putting hand sanitizer in a child’s open wound,” an arrest warrant states.

Schroyer, employed with the district since 2001, was placed on administrative leave on Tuesday pending the investigation.  At the Wednesday bond hearing, Schroyer was given a  $10,000 bond and released.

Grace McColgan, 60, a special education teacher at Ocean Bay Elementary, was charged with six counts of unlawful conduct towards a child, stemming from the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, according to an arrest warrant.

According to a redacted witness statement, McColgan smacked three male students with an open hand on two separate occasions after the students would not get their heads off the table.  These incidents happened in late September.

There were always three adults in the room with McColgan, according to the incident reports.  She was placed on administrative leave October 11.

McColgan was given a $60,000 bond on Wednesday.

Mark Porter, executive director for elementary schools, will oversee Ocean Bay elementary school for the time being, according to Lisa Bourcier, the Horry County schools spokesperson.

A bond hearing for both McColgan and Schroyer is scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday.  No bail has been set.

Child Abuse, Good Parenting, Indifference, Physical Abuse, Special Needs, Teacher

CRUEL CHILD ABUSE OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD CAUGHT ON VIDEO

.jpg photo of teacher and aid that abused Special Needs Child
Aldine ISD Teacher and Aid

Aldine ISD teacher and aide charged for alleged abuse of 6-year-old boy with autism

ALDINE, TX  –  Two Aldine ISD educators have been charged after a first-grade student who has autism was allegedly physically injured in the classroom.

Britnee Vaughn, a teacher for kids with special needs, and teacher’s aide Maria Gonzalez-Valencia both face felony charges of injury to a child.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Aldine ISD said both educators are no longer employed by the district.

In an interview last week, the 6-year-old’s parents, Pablo Reyna and Angelica Frias, said they noticed their son would return from Raymond Elementary School with random scratches, bruises and bumps on his head.

“Whether he was OK or not,” Reyna said, “I thought he could have been playing or something.  You never know, he bumped his head or something.  I mean, he’s a kid, but like I said, it was never in our mind that the teacher was abusive towards him like that.”

Frias said what appeared to be minor injuries happened multiple times over the course of months, and both parents questioned their student’s teacher about it.

“It’s heartbreaking because he isn’t able to talk,” Frias said.  “He has autism, and he doesn’t talk, and he was not able to let me know what was going on.”

She said finally their request made it to the Raymond Elementary School’s administration staff, and an investigation was initiated.

The school’s principal, Tannessa Maddox, reportedly obtained video from inside the classroom after the parents complained.

Court records detail multiple instances where students were allegedly physically abused while in their classroom.

The first incident the court documents covered happened on March 24.

Witnesses to the video state that Gonzalez-Valencia was seen striking the boy in the forehead with an unknown object after he touched an item on her desk.

After the boy was hit, the video reportedly shows the 6-year-old placing his hands on his head in the same area of the strike, indicating that it caused him to feel pain.

After allegedly striking the boy, the teacher’s aide can be heard telling the boy to move, court records claim.

On March 25, a video allegedly shows Vaughn walk over to the boy, who was spinning around on the floor, and kick him, causing him to slide across the floor.

In a separate incident on April 4, court records claim that Vaughn physically hurt another child, in addition to the 6-year-old who has autism.

Witnesses claim that the classroom video shows the boy and the other student playing on the floor.

Vaughn is then seen walking over to the boy and grabbing him by the back of his shirt in the neck area, pulling him up from the floor and onto his feet.

She then reportedly pushes him towards his desk, causing him to fall to the floor.
Witnesses to the video said when the boy got up and sat at his desk, he started rubbing his neck with his hands.

After that, the video reportedly shows Vaughn walking over to the other student and grabbing him by the ear until he gets up from the ground.

The student allegedly yelled in reaction, causing Vaughn to let go. That’s when she reportedly told him not to scream again, or she would take his tablet.

When the student went to sit down at his desk, he was reportedly holding his ear in pain.
In an interview on Tuesday, Pablo Jr.’s parents said the teachers being charged is a good first step, but they want full accountability.

“I think they should be not able to teach anymore. Their title should be taken away from them. If they didn’t have the patience for the kids, then why be a teacher?” said Frias.
They said they would also like to see the district pay more attention.

“I hope that they keep an eye out and be more aware of what’s going on with the teachers, the students and just be able to catch things sooner,” said Frias.

Pablo Jr.’s parents said their son is not finishing the school year at Raymond Elementary as they did not feel comfortable with him going back there after what happened. He is currently enrolled at another Aldine ISD school.

Aldine ISD issued an updated statement about the investigation on Tuesday:

“Aldine ISD is aware of an incident at Raymond Elementary School in which a teacher and a paraprofessional made inappropriate physical contact with two special needs students. Once the school was made aware of this incident, CPS and Aldine ISD PD were immediately contacted and an investigation was initiated. The Aldine ISD PD turned their findings over to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and charges have been filed against both individuals. Both individuals are no longer employed by Aldine ISD.

This incident is deeply concerning and should not have occurred. The district trains teachers and paraprofessionals in nonviolent crisis intervention techniques at the beginning of each school year and will reinforce that training during the remainder of this year. Aldine ISD expects all employees to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates the proper regard for others and does not tolerate behavior that infringes on the safety and emotional well-being of any students or staff member. In addition, the district will use its resources to protect its students and staff.

Aldine ISD leaders will continue to work together to find solutions which provide a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment in our schools in order to support academic achievement, respectful interactions and engagement.”

Child Abuse, Child Pornography, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Physical Abuse, TX AG

Texas Attorney General Law Enforcement Roundup

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.jpg photo of Texas Attorney General LogoTX AG Paxton’s Law Enforce­ment Round Up

February 23, 2022 Press Release

HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNIT

In Bexar County, a suspect was arrested on January 25 for a probation violation and the suspect’s cell phone was seized as evidence in connection with a child pornography investigation.  The Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) Fugitive and Human Trafficking Units made the arrest.  The OAG will be the lead agency for this investigation.

FUGITIVE APPREHENSION UNIT

In Multiple Regions, during the month of January, the OAG Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU) conducted a roundup focusing on parole violators on parole for sex offenses, or those previously arrested for sex offenses, those wanted for failure to register as a sex offender, and suspects wanted by local agencies for various sex offenses.  Of the 112 total arrests made by FAU in the month of January, 42 met the roundup criteria.

In Bell County, Antonio Trevino was arrested on February 2 for violating the conditions of his parole by incurring monitor violations.  Trevino was previously convicted of assault, injury to a child, serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon and was sentenced to life in prison.

In Bexar County, Michael Rene Rodriguez was indicted on December 21 by a Bexar County Grand Jury on five counts of possession of child pornography.  Rodriguez was subsequently arrested on all five counts.  The Digital Forensics Unit assisted in this investigation.

In Bexar County, Norberto Lazaro Delagarza, a Tango Laredo (Larete) Gang member, was arrested on February 1 for violating the conditions of his parole by absconding and on an outstanding federal warrant for probation violation for dangerous drugs.  Delagarza was previously convicted of manufacturing delivery of a controlled substance, a 1st degree felony, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, plus 10 years of probation.  In 2016, his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.  The United States Marshals Service and the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force assisted in this arrest.

In Bexar County, Quincey Alexander Daniels was arrested on February 2 for violating the conditions of his parole by being indicted for the charge of a felon in possession of a firearm.  Daniels was previously convicted of burglary of a habitation, a 2nd degree felony and was sentenced to 10 years of probation.  In 2018, his probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to 8 years in prison.  He was also previously convicted of assault on a family member by choking/strangulation and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

In Bexar County, Benjamin Scott Polasek was arrested on February 2 for violating the conditions of his parole by using alcohol and marijuana, being released from sex offender treatment, and having contact with children in San Antonio.  Polasek was previously convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a 1st degree felony and was sentenced to 72 months on probation.  He was later placed on parole and sentenced to 6 years in prison.

In Brazoria County, Brandon Jamal Jones was arrested on February 1 on an outstanding warrant for possession of a controlled substance.  New charges for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute were issued at the time of his arrest.  The Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force assisted in this arrest.

In Brazoria County, John Louis Gutierrez was arrested on February 2 for failure to maintain mandated sex offender registration requirements and a corresponding failure to comply with sex offender duty to register for life/annually.  Gutierrez was previously convicted of indecency with a child through sexual contact and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.

In Brazoria County, Barrion Demond Oliver was arrested on February 2 for failure to maintain mandated sex offender registration requirements and a corresponding failure to comply with sex offender duty to register for life/annually.  Oliver was previously charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child but pled down to indecency with a child through sexual contact and was sentenced to 4 years in prison.

In Comal County, Robert Ryan Aguirre was arrested on January 31 for violating the conditions of his parole by incurring GPS monitor violations.  Aguirre is on parole for multiple convictions.  Aguirre was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance, a state jail felony, violating bond more than two times within 12 Months, a 3rd degree felony, and was convicted of assault of a family member with a previous conviction, a 3rd degree felony.

In Dallas County, Kolten Eugene Lindsey was arrested on February 2 for violating his parole by a monitor violation.  Lindsey is a convicted sex offender previously convicted of indecency with a child by exposure and was sentenced to 5 years in prison.  Lindsey is currently on parole for a 2010 conviction for tampering with physical evidence in Victoria County, for which he was given a 10-year suspended sentence.

In Dallas County, Michael Aaron Chisler was arrested on February 2 for violating his parole by absconding from a half-way house and on an outstanding warrant for failure to register as a sex offender.  Chisler was previously convicted of possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 2 years in prison.

In Fort Bend County, Elijah Jean was arrested on February 2 for an outstanding warrant for homicide, tampering with physical evidence and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  The Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force assisted with his apprehension.

In Harris County, Richard Reyes was arrested on January 28 for failure to maintain mandated sex offender registration requirements, and warrants were issued for failure to notify of a change of address with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles- sex offender docket and failure to report a residence change to another state- sex offender docket.  Reyes was previously convicted of lewd and lascivious battery, with a victim under 16 in Duval County (Florida) and was sentenced to 3 years’ probation. Reyes’ probation was later revoked and he was sentenced to 18 months in prison.  The United States Marshals Service, Gulf Coast Violent Offender and Fugitive Task Force assisted in this apprehension.

In Harris County, Anthony Angelo Burrell was arrested on February 2 on multiple outstanding warrants for: compelling prostitution under 18 years of age, trafficking of a child, possession of a controlled substance, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, and manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.  The Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force assisted in this apprehension.

In Harris County, Travis Vossler was arrested on February 1 on an outstanding warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  The Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force assisted in this arrest.

In Hopkins County, William Michael Miller was arrested on January 30 on warrants for indecent behavior with a minor, computer- aided solicitation of a minor, and a warrant for 7 counts of pornography involving a minor.  This arrest was made after a request for assistance was made by the Louisiana Office of Attorney General.  The Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force assisted in this arrest.

In Williamson County, Larry Ray Johnston was arrested on February 1 for violating the conditions of his parole by incurring monitor violations.  Johnston was previously convicted of burglary of a habitation with intent to violate or abuse the victim sexually and was sentenced to 75 years in prison.

In Van Zandt County, Christopher Steven Butler, a Peckerwood Gang member, was arrested on February 2 on an outstanding warrant for bond revocation and for the manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance.  The Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force assisted in this apprehension.

In Van Zandt County, Desiree Teresse Rinehart was arrested on February 2 on an outstanding warrant for a bond violation for abandoning/endangering a child and criminal negligence.  The Joint East Texas Fugitive Task Force assisted in this apprehension. 

Better Laws, Child Abuse, Child Sex Abuse, Physical Abuse, StopChildAbuse, TX AG

TX AG Declares Misguided Ideology On Children Child Abuse

.jpg photo of Texas Attorney General LogoAG Pax­ton Declares So-Called Sex-Change Pro­ce­dures on Chil­dren and Pre­scrip­tion of Puber­ty Block­ers to be ​“Child Abuse” Under Texas Law

AUSTIN, TX  –  Attorney General Ken Paxton released a formal attorney general opinion concluding that performing certain “sex-change” procedures on children, and prescribing puberty-blockers to them, is “child abuse” under Texas law.  The holding comes at a critical time when more and more Texans are seeing the horrors that flow from the merging of medicine and misguided ideology.

Specifically, the opinion concludes that certain procedures done on minors such as castration, fabrication of a “penis” using tissue from other body parts, fabrication of a “vagina” involving the removal of male sex organs, prescription of puberty-suppressors and infertility-inducers, and the like are all “abuse” under section 261.001 of the Texas Family Code.

“There is no doubt that these procedures are ‘abuse’ under Texas law, and thus must be halted,” said Attorney General Paxton.  “The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has a responsibility to act accordingly.  I’ll do everything I can to protect against those who take advantage of and harm young Texans.”

This opinion comes after Attorney General Paxton opined in an October 2019 letter to DFPS, stating that the “transition” of James Younger—the biological male son of Jeff Younger—to a “female” through puberty-blocking drugs, among other things, was “abuse” under at least three definitions set out in the Family Code, and that DFPS, therefore, had an independent duty to investigate.

The opinion also follows Gov. Abbott’s August 2021 letter to DFPS requesting a determination of “whether genital mutilation of a child for purposes of gender transitioning through reassignment surgery constitutes child abuse.”  The Commissioner of DFPS replied that “genital mutilation of a child through reassignment surgery is child abuse.”

Read the opinion here.