The Autauga County Sheriff's Office has arrested one former teacher and two former teacher aides following an investigation into allegations of child abuse in a self-contained special needs classroom at Billingsley School.
The investigation resulted in the arrest of former teacher Kendra Spencer and teacher aides Jennifer Davis and Shayla Johnson. According to the Autauga County Sheriff’s Office, the charges stem from incidents involving the abuse of children assigned to the classroom.
Police say abuse of the children was caught on video. The investigation began after allegations of abuse were reported to law enforcement and the school board. Investigators and Autauga County School Board employees were required to review hundreds of hours of surveillance video and other evidence before charges were filed.
Two of the three defendants reportedly voluntarily turned themselves in to authorities. The third was taken into custody without incident.
The criminal complaint for child abuse-torture against Spencer names the 11-year-old boy she is accused of assaulting, claiming evidence showed her hitting the boy in the face.
Davis is accused of pushing a nine-year-old girl around the room and using her knee to put the girl in a chair.
Johnson is likewise charged with child abuse-torture of a nine-year-old girl, allegedly hitting her with a folder on the girl’s hands and arms.
"This investigation required an extraordinary amount of time and resources due to the extensive video evidence that had to be carefully reviewed," said Autauga County Sheriff Mark Harrell. "Our investigators worked diligently to ensure every allegation was thoroughly examined and properly documented with the help of the School Board. The School Board immediately removed the Individuals from the classroom once allegations were alleged. We appreciate the working relationship with the Autauga County School Board to keep our kids safe.''
Authorities say that they are still reviewing evidence and that other charges may be forthcoming. The sheriff’s office also asked anyone in the community with information to come forward.
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