Two educators from an Oklahoma elementary school are facing serious accusations after incidents involving a 10-year-old and a 5-year-old student. The two teachers allegedly struck one child and placed the other in a chokehold, with these events occurring within a few months of each other.
Elizabeth Kay Sutton and Ottoria McClung have been indicted on charges of assault and battery against students. The charges were filed in Comanche County District Court, located in Elgin, roughly an hour’s drive from Oklahoma City, as reported by The Lawton Constitution.
The situation escalated on January 8 when authorities were called to Elgin Elementary School following a report from Principal Gabe Winn. According to the allegations, Sutton, aged 38, forcefully grabbed a 10-year-old boy, pushed him into his seat, and then struck him in the face.
Security recordings purportedly documented Sutton’s arm moving towards the boy’s face, prompting him to turn away from her. The footage then allegedly captured the moment when Sutton swung her arm, impacting the boy’s face and causing his head to jolt backward.
Upon returning to the classroom after lunch, the child’s teacher noticed a noticeable red mark on his face, raising concerns among the school staff.
Back in class, the boy’s teacher spotted a red mark on his face after he returned from lunch.
Sutton defended her actions to police, saying the boy “had been difficult since returning to school after the break,” the outlet reported.
She claimed to have used a hold she was taught as a paraprofessional and never meant to hurt the boy.
Sutton, who had only been a teacher’s aide for just five months, was then arrested and pleaded not guilty to assaulting the child.
She was also fired from the job, Superintendent Nate Meraz told the outlet.
Months after Sutton was arrested, McClung, a personal care assistant at Elgin Elementary School, was allegedly observed carrying a five-year-old student in a chokehold down a hallway.
A witness told police that the boy’s face was red and that he was crying and hitting McClung’s arm while she allegedly said, “I can’t deal with this,” on March 13, according to the outlet.
McClung, 37, was arrested and fired following the allegations.
Following both disturbing incidents, Meraz said in a statement that “all of the appropriate authorities were notified immediately,” and assured parents that “all employees must pass a background check and professional references are called prior to employment.”
“Both of these instances were reported to administration by fellow employees which reflects the culture of accountability here,” Meraz said.
“My philosophy on personnel is this: If we have reasonable hesitation in the interview process, we will not employ you. Once employed, if you harm a student, you will be terminated. We are here to educate kids in a safe environment. Elgin Public Schools’ highest priority is the safety and well-being of its students.”
Both Sutton and McClung are due to appear in court on May 20.
