Irmo Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Hitting Students
Irmo, S.C. — In a troubling incident that has raised serious concerns, Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, a 51-year-old teacher at Irmo Middle School, turned himself in to law enforcement on Wednesday. He faces two counts of third-degree assault after allegedly hitting two students during separate incidents.
Details of the Incidents
According to a report from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, the incidents occurred at the school, with the first dated back to March. Singletary reportedly stated that a student approached him from behind and began squeezing and rubbing his head. In an attempt to react, Singletary claimed he swung his arm, accidentally striking the student in the chest, which resulted in a reported injury.
Following this incident, Singletary remarked to a classroom of students, “Of course, you’ll get smacked trying that again,” suggesting that such actions could lead to disciplinary responses. He stated that a couple of days later, the same student began behaving disruptively in class, accusing Singletary of assaulting him and threatening to repeat the action by stating, “I’ll grab your head again.”
Second Incident in October
The second reported incident took place in October when Singletary allegedly struck another student. This incident occurred during a class presentation session where students were instructed not to dismantle their project items. Singletary claimed that a group of students disregarded his order and dismantled their project, ultimately leading him to discard it due to safety concerns.
Singletary stated that when he called out to one student to return the project piece to the trash, the student ignored him. In an effort to enforce classroom rules, Singletary reportedly handed the project to another student, stating he would write the first student up for his actions. According to the official reports, this led Singletary to approach the student and strike him twice on the shoulder.
School and Law Enforcement Response
The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department confirmed that Singletary did not report either incident to school officials, which has prompted concerns about adherence to mandated reporting policies within educational settings.
Following the arrest, the Lexington-Richland School District 5 released a statement regarding the situation, expressing its commitment to full cooperation with law enforcement during the ongoing investigation. The statement indicated that Singletary has been placed on administrative leave while the investigation unfolds.
Community Reaction
The incidents involving Singletary have stirred a mix of concern and confusion among parents and community members. Many are questioning the environment in which the incidents occurred and the adequacy of handling disciplinary measures in schools.
As this situation develops, further updates from law enforcement and school district officials are expected. The investigation continues, focusing on both the incidents’ facts and the broader implications for student safety and teacher conduct.
Conclusion
The Irmo community awaits more details as they consider the ramifications of such behavior in their schools, stressing the critical need for safe and supportive educational environments. As they navigate this challenging matter, both parents and educators alike are reminded of the importance of addressing conflicts constructively.
