An acclaimed counselor from South Carolina has been placed on suspension following allegations of a fierce altercation outside a Walmart.
Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, 37, who counsels at St John’s High School in Charleston County, is facing three charges after what authorities describe as a violent domestic incident during a custody exchange with her child’s father.
Currently, Nelson is on temporary administrative leave as the investigation into the matter continues.
In January, Nelson was recognized as St John’s Teacher of the Year for 2025, celebrated for her remarkable dedication and ‘unwavering passion’ toward students.
However, on October 18, a different side of Nelson allegedly emerged during the episode at the Summerville Walmart.
Andy Pruitt, a spokesperson for the Charleston County School District, stated to the Daily Mail: “CCSD can confirm that Ms. Sade Nelson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.”
‘Because this is a personnel matter and an active investigation, the district cannot provide any additional details at this time.’
Summerville Police Department officers responded to the call at around 5pm on October 18 on North Main Street, according to the incident report obtained by the Daily Mail.
Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, 37, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation after she was accused of assaulting the father of her child outside a local Walmart
When Nelson was named Teacher of the Year, social media tributes poured in and praised her as ‘simply amazing,’ highlighting her kindness and dedication
Nelson and the father of her child – who is unnamed in the report – met at the local Walmart to exchange custody of their son.
She allegedly attempted to hit the man with her car and attacked him, according to the report.
The father told the police he was actively dodging Nelson’s car as she was trying to run him over.
He stated that he ‘opened the front passenger door to get his son when Nelson grabbed his hoodie and began punching repeatedly.’
According to the report, he added that he fell from the car while trying to escape and claimed that Nelson opened the passenger door and struck his girlfriend in the face, who is also unnamed.
The father’s girlfriend told police she did not initially recognize Nelson when she was allegedly attacked.
Two witnesses told police they saw Nelson assault a man and woman, and also attempt to hit the man with her car.
One of the witnesses added that she could not see if the father had also assaulted the high school teacher.
Nelson was voted as St John’s High School Teacher of the Year for 2025 and the school shared a photo of her receiving the award in January
The 37-year-old teacher faces charges of third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child
Nelson and the school principal holding up the Top 3 best teacher of the year poster in December 2024
St John’s High School in Summerville, South Carolina, has placed Nelson on leave
Nelson was not on the scene when the police arrived but later went to the department to give a statement, the report said.
According to her statement, Nelson claimed that the father opened her car door, leaned over their child, and allegedly attacked her.
The high school teacher said her son was also hit, so she immediately parked her car and approached his vehicle to take a picture of the license plate.
Nelson then claimed she was ‘knocked’ so hard by the father of her child that she fell backwards, leading to bystanders stepping in, according to the report.
She told police that she spoke with her friend on the phone who told her to leave and that she would speak to the police on Nelson’s behalf, so she got in her car and left.
Police obtained security footage from the parking lot that showed Nelson driving her vehicle directly at the child’s father, the report said.
The report said the video showed the father open the passenger-side door and lean in, though nothing inside the vehicle was visible. Seconds later, he emerged with his hoodie partially off and his hat gone.
Nelson then allegedly moved her car further down the aisle, stopped and stepped out. She approached his vehicle on the passenger side and leaned into the car for an extended period, according to the report.
Nelson was awarded the Teacher of the Year accolade in January
Nelson back in August 2022, in front of the Charleston County School District plaque. She has worked for Charleston County School District since 2012 and has worked at St John’s High School for the past three years
The alleged attack took place outside this Walmart on North Main Street in Summerville
The father walked over, and as Nelson stood up, he pushed her away from the open door and caused her to fall, the report continued.
The report provides that Nelson then approached him again and allegedly assaulted him as he backed away.
He briefly defended himself before Nelson stopped, and bystanders stepped in to deescalate the situation. She then got back into her car and left the scene with her son.
Nelson has been charged with third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child.
She has a bachelors and masters degree in criminal justice along with a second masters in school counseling.
The counselor has worked for Charleston County School District since 2012. When she was named Teacher of the Year, tributes online praised her as ‘simply amazing’ and highlighted her kindness.
Nelson and her lawyer declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
