MOSCOW, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) – An elementary school teacher in Tennessee has been arrested after reportedly kneeing a child to the ground at school.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said Brandy Murphy has been charged with child abuse and assault after she turned herself in on Tuesday.
According to an arrest affidavit, the reported incident happened last Thursday at Lagrange Moscow Elementary School involving a 4-year-old boy who was walking toward the cafeteria with other students.
Surveillance video in one of the hallways reportedly captured Murphy approaching the boy before she grabbed and shoved him.
The child was then on the teacher’s left side, and that’s when Murphy allegedly kneed the boy to the ground, causing him to fall.
The sheriff’s office said Murphy walked off and left the student crying on the ground “failing to protect or check on [the child’s] welfare.”
Witnesses said the child told Murphy that she pushed him and she returned to pick up the water bottle that he had dropped before walking away again.
Authorities said the investigation found that Murphy’s actions “appeared to be intentional and cruel in nature.”
Officials with Fayette County Public Schools said Murphy has been suspended indefinitely while the investigation continues and it is committed to providing a safe environment for its students.
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