Award-Winning Teacher on Leave After Violent Altercation
An acclaimed South Carolina school counselor has been suspended from her position following a vicious alleged attack during a child custody exchange in a Walmart car park. Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, a 37-year-old counselor at St John's High School in Charleston County, now faces three criminal charges after the incident on October 18.
The altercation has cast a shadow over Nelson's professional reputation, coming just months after she was celebrated as St John's Teacher of the Year for 2025 in January. The school district has confirmed she is on temporary administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.
Details of the Walmart Car Park Incident
According to an incident report obtained by the Daily Mail, police were called to the Walmart on North Main Street in Summerville at approximately 5pm on October 18. Nelson and the father of her child had met to exchange custody of their son.
The father told authorities that Nelson attempted to hit him with her car as he was actively dodging the vehicle. He stated that when he opened the passenger door to retrieve his son, Nelson grabbed his hoodie and began repeatedly punching him.
The report further alleges that the father fell from the car while trying to escape and that Nelson then opened the passenger door and struck his girlfriend in the face. The girlfriend told police she did not initially recognise her alleged attacker.
Two independent witnesses corroborated parts of the account, telling officers they saw Nelson assault a man and a woman and attempt to strike the man with her car.
Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence
When Nelson later provided a statement to police, she presented a different version of events. She claimed the father opened her car door, leaned over their child, and attacked her. Nelson alleged her son was hit during the struggle, prompting her to park and approach the father's vehicle to photograph its license plate.
She stated she was then knocked backwards so forcefully by the child's father that she fell, leading bystanders to intervene. Nelson told police she subsequently left the scene after a friend advised she speak to authorities later.
However, security footage from the parking lot reportedly showed Nelson driving her vehicle directly at the child's father. The video then showed the father opening the passenger-side door and leaning in, emerging moments later with his hoodie partially off. The report states Nelson then moved her car, stopped, and approached his vehicle, leaning into the passenger side for an extended period.
The footage allegedly shows the father pushing Nelson away from the open door, causing her to fall, after which she approached him again and assaulted him as he backed away. The altercation ended when bystanders stepped in, and Nelson left with her son.
Charges and Professional Fallout
Nelson now faces serious charges including: third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or willfully abandoning a child.
The case presents a stark contrast to her professional accolades. When named Teacher of the Year, social media tributes praised Nelson as 'simply amazing,' highlighting her kindness and dedication. She holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in criminal justice, plus a second master's in school counselling, and has worked for Charleston County School District since 2012.
Andy Pruitt, a district spokesperson, stated: 'CCSD can confirm that Ms Sade Nelson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Because this is a personnel matter and an active investigation, the district cannot provide any additional details at this time.'
Nelson and her lawyer have declined to comment when contacted about the allegations.
