WELCH, W.Va. – Two McDowell County Public School teachers have been indicted on numerous felony and misdemeanor charges related to allegations of mistreating, abusing and assaulting their special needs students.
Teacher Anita Kay Hicks, 63, of Cedar Bluff, Va. and teacher’s aide Vonda Gay Lester, 68, of Jolo, W.Va. were indicted on Oct. 22 by a McDowell County grand jury for incidents that allegedly happened in August and September 2024 at a McDowell County elementary school.
Both Hicks and Lester are facing one count of child abuse creating a substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury; two counts of gross child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury; one count of battery of a disabled child; three counts of assault of a disabled child; four counts of maltreatment of a disabled child; and four counts of failure to report.
Alleged actions by Hicks and Lester in the indictment include throwing a child to the floor onto a beanbag chair, placing a disabled child in apprehension of violent injury, engaging in conduct, verbal or otherwise, in a threatening manner, and denying bathroom privileges throughout the day.
It is unclear at this time the status of Hicks and Lester’s employment with the McDowell County School system.
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