News Summary
The tranquil community of Irmo is in turmoil following the arrests of Sulaymaan Benoit, a charter school teacher, and Tina Shaw, the school principal. Benoit faces multiple charges of criminal sexual conduct, while Shaw is accused of failing to report the alleged abuse. The investigation revealed disturbing allegations involving young students and raised serious concerns about safety and reporting procedures in schools. The community is now grappling with the implications of these events and the need for changes to ensure student safety.
Shocking Arrests Rock Irmo Charter School
In an unsettling turn of events, the quiet community of Irmo is currently reeling from a scandal involving a charter school teacher and the school’s principal. On Wednesday morning, local police arrested Sulaymaan Benoit, a 32-year-old after-school director and substitute teacher at the Green Charter School of the Midlands, for multiple counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. To make matters worse, the principal of the school, Tina Shaw, 41, was also taken into custody for failing to report the alleged abuse.
The Disturbing Allegations
This disturbing saga began back in January when a concerned parent reported their child might have been victimized. Following the report, an investigation launched by the Irmo Police Department uncovered that Benoit had allegedly inappropriately touched three young students, aged between 7 and 12, within the school grounds. Police Chief Bobby Dale has described the nature of these incidents as “nonconsensual and very lewd and lascivious.”
The investigation revealed that the inappropriate behavior may have started as early as August and continued through at least October of the previous year. It’s distressing to think that a trusted teacher could engage in such actions, leaving the families of the victims grappling with both anger and heartbreak.
The Principal Faces Consequences
If the situation was not already alarming, it was further complicated by the actions of Principal Tina Shaw, who was aware of the abuse allegations yet failed to report them to law enforcement. In South Carolina, educators are considered mandated reporters, meaning they are legally obligated to inform authorities when they suspect child abuse. Shaw’s negligence in this responsibility has now led to her arrest and charges of second-degree assault and battery.
In addition to the abuse allegations, the police also found that Shaw had engaged in questionable conduct, including illegally searching two students back in October 2024. This incident raised further concerns about her judgment and actions within the school environment. As a result, Shaw is now facing two counts of assault and battery related to this troubling behavior.
School’s Response
The Executive Director of the Green Charter School, Tome Cronin, stated that the institution is still in the process of gathering further details about these shocking events. Cronin assured the school community that they would keep families and staff updated as more information arises.
Irmo Police are urging any additional victims or anyone with information to come forward, emphasizing the critical role parents play in establishing a trusting environment where children feel safe to discuss their experiences. Those affected can reach out to the Irmo Police Department’s Investigations Division for assistance and support.
Benoit’s Time in Detention
Following the arrests, both Benoit and Shaw were transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center for bond hearings on the same day. Benoit was given a cash bond of $75,000, which comes with strict conditions, such as maintaining no contact with the victims and remaining at least 1,000 yards away from their homes, schools, and places of worship. He will also be placed on GPS monitoring as part of his bail conditions, but as of Tuesday afternoon, he remained in detention, unable to post bail.
On the other hand, Principal Shaw was granted a $50,000 personal recognizance bond under similar conditions, including permission to return to the school. Reports indicated she was released on the following Wednesday.
Conclusion
This shocking case has sent waves through the Irmo community, prompting discussions about safety and reporting procedures in schools. As the situation continues to develop, many are left wondering what changes will occur in the aftermath and how to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
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Additional Resources
- WIS TV: Irmo Charter School Teacher Arrested
- WMBF News: Teacher and Principal Arrested
- Live 5 News: Police Request Additional Victims
- Wikipedia: Child Abuse
- WTOK: Man Demands Evidence on Allegations
- Google Search: Irmo Charter School Abuse
