HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Police in Huntersville, North Carolina, are looking into an incident involving a teacher from Blythe Elementary School, who is accused of being seen kissing a 5-year-old student in a bathroom.
The student’s mother shared with Queen City News from Nexstar that a school staff member witnessed the kiss and alerted the administration. Elizabeth Szumski’s daughter, who is nonverbal and has autism, began showing reluctance to attend school, which worried Szumski.
“What else has she endured?” she said. “Why has she been crying every day since she started this school?”
Those are the questions running through Szumski’s mind after pulling her kindergartener out of her Blythe Elementary classroom.
“I knew something was wrong at the school,” she said.
Szumski noticed changes in her daughter’s behavior and visited the school in search of answers. However, the school staff couldn’t provide an explanation. A few days later, she received a phone call.
“There was an incident where a staff member was caught kissing my daughter in the bathroom, caught by another staff member,” said Szumski.
Knowing her 5-year-old can’t communicate what might have happened hurts the most.
“She can’t tell her side of the story,” she said. “She’ll never be able to. She can’t defend herself. She can’t speak up for herself.”
An incident report shows the staff member was removed from the classroom but not from the school. So far, no charges have been filed in this case. Szumski wants someone held accountable.
“I’ll never be able to trust somebody again with my child for as long as she goes to school,” she said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders released the following statement:
We are aware of an alleged incident involving a staff member. Due to privacy laws, we are unable to share any details or information regarding the investigation. I want to assure you that we take the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We appreciate and understand your interest in this matter. Thank you for your continued support of Blythe Elementary School.
