Two teaching assistants in Oklahoma have been charged with assault and battery after allegedly attacking pupils at Elgin Elementary School. Elizabeth Kay Sutton, 38, is accused of hitting a 10-year-old boy in the face, while Otoria McClung, 37, allegedly placed a five-year-old boy in a chokehold.
The incidents came to light after headteacher Gabe Winn reported Sutton to police on January 8. CCTV footage reportedly showed Sutton grabbing the 10-year-old, forcing him back into his chair, and then striking him in the face. The boy’s teacher later noticed a red mark on his face. Sutton claimed she used a technique taught to her as a paraprofessional and did not intend to harm the child. She pleaded not guilty and has since been fired.
McClung was arrested following allegations on March 13 that she carried a five-year-old boy in a chokehold down a hallway. A witness reported that the boy’s face was red and he was crying and hitting McClung’s arm, while she allegedly said, “I can’t deal with this.”
Superintendent Nate Meraz stated that both incidents were reported by fellow employees, reflecting a culture of accountability. He emphasised that all employees undergo background checks and that anyone who harms a student will be terminated. Sutton and McClung are due to appear in court on May 20.
