The Charleston County School District faces lawsuits from parents of four students alleging negligence and assault by an elementary school teacher. The new lawsuits, filed in the Charleston County Court, accuse the district of failing to monitor Karen Moore, a special education teacher at Drayton Hall Elementary School.
Court documents detail severe neglect and abusive behavior in Moore’s classroom. A substitute teacher reported moldy water cups, a dirty bathroom, and unsanitary conditions. The substitute also witnessed Moore yelling at children, who appeared frightened.
One mother claims her non-verbal autistic son tried to hide from Moore and became more aggressive at home. Another parent reported her daughter arriving at daycare with dirty diapers and wet clothes, showing signs of distress and sleep troubles.
A third lawsuit describes Moore disciplining a non-verbal girl with Down Syndrome by sitting on her and squeezing her. The girl’s mother reported night terrors and resistance to going to school. A fourth complaint involves a non-verbal girl with Down Syndrome arriving home with unexplained bruises and increased aggression.
A teaching assistant filed a police report against Moore in May after witnessing her physically assault a student. Despite these allegations, no charges have been filed against Moore. The Charleston Police Department and the school district are conducting investigations. Moore has been placed on administrative leave.
Authorities initially investigated the Drayton Hall Elementary School teacher 2 months ago:
Charleston Police investigate claims against special education teacher.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Charleston Police are investigating claims made against a special education teacher at Drayton Hall Elementary School who allegedly assaulted a student. https://t.co/3Sd4UWmPD2
— Thomas D Murphy For US Senate , SC (R) (@tommurphy8485) May 27, 2024
