Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

4 S.C. educators charged after claims of abuse

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Four South Carolina educators have been arrested after claims a former teaching assistant abused autistic students and others failed to report it.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Thursday that the alleged abuse at Knightsville Elementary School included holding hands over a child's mouth and nose, dragging a child by the hair and striking one in the head.

Heather Martin is charged with illegal conduct toward a child. Rebecca Piersol-Crosby is charged with illegal conduct toward a child and failing to report a crime. Mary Rita Watson and Anita Ruff-Putillion are each charged with failure to report child abuse.

None of the women currently work at the school, but three continue to work for the district. Martin resigned.

All four women were released Wednesday.