Irmo Teacher Charged After Hitting Students
IRMO, S.C. – An Irmo Middle School teacher, Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, has been charged with assault after allegedly hitting two students. The incidents are reported to have taken place in March and October of 2023.
Details of the Incidents
According to arrest warrants released by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department (LCSD), the first incident occurred in March. Singletary, 51, is accused of striking a student in the chest after mistakenly believing that the student had touched his head. The blow caused injury, and Singletary reportedly warned the class, “Of course, you’ll get smacked trying that again.” He added, “Anyone risks the chance of getting smacked when doing something like that.”
The second incident occurred in October when another student retrieved part of an assignment that Singletary had thrown in the trash. Witnesses say Singletary approached the student, struck him twice on the shoulder with an open hand, and took the item back to the trash. During a heated exchange, the teacher allegedly told the student, “If you have something to say; say it to my face.”
Response from Authorities
Sheriff Koon has stated that Singletary failed to report either incident to school administrators, raising concerns about teacher conduct in the school environment. Following the release of the arrest warrants, Singletary turned himself in to the authorities on Wednesday morning. He was then charged with two counts of third-degree assault and was taken to the Lexington County Detention Center.
School District’s Reaction
In light of the allegations, the Lexington-Richland School District 5 released a statement confirming that they are cooperating with the ongoing investigation. The statement noted that Singletary is currently on administrative leave pending further developments in the case. “School District Five of Lexington and Richland Counties received notification that a district employee has been arrested,” the district stated. “Due to the ongoing nature of this criminal investigation, any questions should be directed to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.”
Community Reaction
These incidents have sparked concern among parents and community members regarding the safety of students in school. Many are worried about the behavioral standards of educators and the measures enforced by the school district to prevent such situations in the future. As the investigation continues, the reaction from parents and other teachers in the district remains mixed, with some expressing shock at the allegations and others calling for more stringent oversight and training for educators.
As the legal process unfolds, both the school and local authorities are expected to take further actions based on the findings of the investigation. The incidents raise essential questions about the appropriate conduct of educators and maintaining a safe environment for all students.
Further updates will likely be provided as the situation develops, with local authorities and school officials committed to ensuring that such conduct does not go unchecked in the future.
