CHILD ABUSE INVESTIGATION AT PIKEVILLE ELEMENTARY

PIKEVILLE, Tenn.- Six employees from Pikeville Elementary have been fired due to the investigation of child abuse. Two of the employees, Chloe Frizzell, and Sheila Schmidt are facing child abuse charges.

The Director of Schools, Selina Sparkman took to Facebook on Monday and wrote:

As you may be aware, an incident occurred on Wednesday, February 15th at Pikeville Elementary School. Principal Lee Ann Morris discovered this situation and immediately reported it to the Department of Children’s Services and the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department. After an investigation conducted by the district, the decision was made to terminate six employees. No other information can be shared at this time due to the fact that there is an ongoing legal investigation that is being conducted by the Bledsoe County Sherriff’s Department. This is in no way indicative of the care that is demonstrated for our students on a daily basis. A plan has been prepared to ensure our students are safe and secure when they return to school tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming them back.

According to the report, the incident was captured on surveillance video.

The report states the video showing Chloe Frizzell “picking up an object and throwing it at…a juvenile student inside the classroom.”

“Ms. Frizzell then also shoved the student down to the ground,” the report continues.

The report also says the video shows Sheila Schmidt “picking up an object and throwing it at a juvenile student inside the classroom.”

Schmidt then “grabbed the student by the hair of the head and began to drag her back approximately 8-10 ft. and sat her in a chair.”

The report is not clear on whether these two incidents happened at the same time, or whether there were just one or more students involved.

More of the story can be found HERE.