YORK COUNTY, Va. — On Nov. 17, the York County Sheriff's Office was notified of an alleged assault of a 6-year-old special needs student that occurred the day prior at Mt. Vernon Elementary School.
Deputies say an investigation began immediately, and as a result, 47-year-old Elizabeth Anne Sparr, a teacher at Mt. Vernon Elementary, was arrested.
Sparr has been charged with one count of assault and battery, a class 1 misdemeanor.
The York County Sheriff’s office says they were notified by child protective services about a teacher assaulting a student. They say they received a complaint of the teacher striking the student several times with her fist.
York County Sheriff Ron Montgemery says the incident happened Thursday and the teacher was arrested Friday.
"According to witnesses, they were outside on the playground and the special needs child ran off a couple of times away from the group or class. The complaint that we received was the teacher chased the child down and used her fist and struck the child several times in the back," Montgomery said.
"We received a notification this morning from child protective services here in York county. There had been an allegation of assault that occurred yesterday at Mt. Vernon elementary school involving a teacher and special needs student," Montgomery said.
York County parents say the incident is concerning.
"You send your kids to school to be safe, not to be assaulted by a teacher. You believe your kids are safe when you send them to school," Michaela Rose, a York County grandparent said.
"That sounds like somebody losing their temper. The teacher should be held accountable for something that bad," Ray Coullette, a York County parent said.
The York County school district says Sparr was placed on administrative leave, pending the outcome of an investigation.
Stay with News 3 for updates.
