An Isle of Wight County teacher was arrested Thursday in connection with the alleged assault of four students during a tornado drill.
On March 7, a parent whose child attends Westside Elementary School contacted the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office and the School Resource Officer, reporting that their child returned home from school complaining that a teacher assaulted them during a tornado drill.
Officials referred the complaint to the sheriff’s office Criminal Investigations Unit.
After conducting a preliminary investigation and interviewing witnesses, investigators determined that three additional children were also assaulted during the drill.
The sheriff’s office said none of the children reported any physical injuries.
Authorities later arrested Catherine Sinclair, 67, and charged her with four counts of assault and battery, as well as causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent, abused, etc. She was released on a secure bond.
Sinclair is scheduled to appear in Isle of Wight County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for a hearing on March 17.