KINGWOOD, W.Va. — The Preston County Board of Education and a former middle school teacher who entered a plea deal in a classroom abuse case have been named in a civil lawsuit.
Cassandra Sisler, of Terra Alta, pleaded guilty last year to four felony counts of child abuse resulting in injury. She agreed to permanently surrender her West Virginia teaching license and will never seek teaching credentials in any other state or territory of the United States. She was sentenced to a six-month suspended prison term, court costs plus a $100 fine. Sisler was ordered to serve six months on home confinement and three years of supervised probation.
The lawsuit filed by the student’s parents in Preston County Circuit Court alleges Sisler duct-taped the student’s mouth, bound his hands as punishment. The suit said the student suffered physical and emotional harm. The actions were witnessed by other students and the classroom aide.
The family is asking the court for a jury trial and a judgment against the Preston County Board of Education and Sisler in an amount sufficient to compensate the family and set an example to deter others from the same activity.
Attorneys for the school board are attempting to move the lawsuit to federal court.