PELION, S.C. — A substitute teacher in Lexington School District One has been charged after alleged incident with two students.
Police say the incidents happened at Forts Pond Elementary School in Pelion on Thursday.
One student alleged that substitute teacher Alice Johnson, employed by Kelly Services, had picked him up by the neck, lifting him off of the ground. A second student alleged that he was pushed to the ground by Johnson. Neither child was injured during the incident.
The Pelion Police Department says it was notified by Lexington One, and an investigation was opened. Kelly Services was notified, and Johnson was removed from all assignments pending the investigation and was placed on administrative leave and removed from the list of eligible substitutes for Lexington County School District One.
Police say they took statements from several independent witnesses and the victims, after which it was determined that a criminal act had occurred.
Johnson was charged with two counts of third degree assault and battery.
In statement a statement released to News 19, Johnson's employer, Kelly Education Services, said:
"Kelly Education is deeply troubled by the reports of inappropriate behavior involving our employee. The safety and welfare of the students we serve are our top priorities, and we take these matters seriously. We are cooperating with the Lexington administration and the police as they investigate this matter. Pending the results of the police investigation and criminal charges, our employee has been removed from all future assignments. The employee and all our substitute educators undergo rigorous screening and background checks. Our screening process includes a criminal records check, including crimes against children, and a search of the National Sex Offender Registry. We also adhere to state and district requirements for screening. No background concerns related to the employee were identified."
Investigators say they have arranged for Johnson to turn herself in at the Lexington County Detention Center.