BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — A former Mercer County special education teacher accused of injuring two of her students pleaded not guilty to child abuse charges on Monday
58-year-old Marlene Robinson was indicted by a grand jury earlier this month on three felony counts of child abuse resulting in injury.
In June, The Mercer County Board of Education voted unanimously to suspend Robinson for three days because of a reported incident of abuse in May. Video surveillance of another incident in September showed Robinson dragging a 5-year-old boy for several minutes with his stomach on the ground, then dropping his book bag on top of him. A third incident was reported to authorities in October. Robinson was officially terminated from her job, last week.
Following her plea of not guilty in a Mercer County courtroom, Robinson’s trial date was scheduled for December 3rd.
Correction: MetroNews affiliate WJLS was informed by the Mercer Country Board of Education that Robinson’s termination was recommended by the superintendent. However, pursuant to state law, Robinson will be afforded a hearing on the superintendent’s recommendation before the school board makes a final decision.