New Allegations Against Irmo Teacher for Hitting Students
In Irmo, South Carolina, shocking news has surfaced about a local middle school teacher, Jermaine Cornelius Singletary, who has found himself in a heap of trouble. The 51-year-old educator turned himself in to Lexington County deputies this Wednesday, facing serious charges of third-degree assault after allegedly hitting two students.
What Happened?
According to the details revealed in an incident report, the first incident took place back in March. Singletary claims that while he was going about his day, a student approached him from behind and began to squeeze and rub his head. Sounds a bit too friendly, doesn’t it? As Singletary turned around, he swung his arm and, unfortunately, ended up hitting the student.
Singletary later stated that he apologized and told the student that they really shouldn’t be rubbing his head or touching him at all. However, the situation took a turn for the worse when it was reported that the student began acting out in class. After being asked to put his phone away, the student loudly proclaimed that Singletary should “get fired for hitting me.” Not wanting to back down, Singletary remarked that if the student tried putting his hands on him again, he “would get smacked,” stating that students need to really think about their actions.
The Second Incident
The saga didn’t end there! Fast forward to October, and another alleged incident occurred. This time, Singletary was involved with a different student who had picked up their homework from the trash—yes, you read that right. The incident report explains that during a group project presentation, Singletary instructed the students to keep their projects intact and not to break their work apart around the school. But some students didn’t heed his warning, and Singletary put their project in the trash, deeming it a safety issue.
Despite his instructions, one student ignored Singletary’s repeated attempts to get their attention. In frustration, Singletary claimed he struck the student twice on the shoulder with an open hand, which led to the second assault charge. It’s all left a lot of folks shaking their heads.
No Reports to Administration
What raises even more eyebrows in this situation is that Singletary reportedly did not inform any school administrators about either incident. This is quite concerning, as you can imagine. Lexington-Richland School District 5 has stated that they are cooperating fully with law enforcement during this ongoing investigation and have placed Singletary on administrative leave.
In a press release, the district emphasized their commitment to ensuring a safe learning environment and indicated they would take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation. They advised that any inquiries related to this matter should be directed to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.
The Community Reacts
This news has certainly stirred up quite the *buzz* in Irmo, with parents and community members expressing concern over the safety and treatment of students within schools. Nobody wants to see their kids in a situation where they might feel threatened or unsafe, especially in their place of learning.
As this case continues to unfold, many are anxiously awaiting further updates on the investigation. And while we can’t speak for the outcome, one sentiment remains clear: the well-being of students should always come first.
Stay tuned as we keep an eye on this developing story. There’s no doubt that everyone in Irmo is hoping for a resolution that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all students in the district.
