KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A former teacher at the Bruceton Elementary School has agreed to deferred adjudication after being charged with maltreatment of a disabled child.
Melissa Kent was one of three teachers accused in the incident that happened in March of this year.
Kent, Jessica Hunter, and Leah Nolan are accused of dragging and pulling the 9-year-old down a hallway and leaving him unattended in another classroom for an extended period of time.
The mother of the victim notified authorities after she noticed sores and bruising on the child’s arms and wrists.
According to the deal reached in Preston County Magistrate Court, Kent has been ordered to serve unsupervised probation, complete anger management and counseling, and complete 16 hours of education in working with children with disabilities. If the terms are completed, she can file a motion for the charges to be dismissed.
If she fails to satisfy the terms of deferred adjudication, the state could proceed with the charges.
Hearings for Hunter and Nolan for attorneys to view additional video evidence have been rescheduled for Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.