A Jonesboro school director accused of acting as the “ringleader of a makeshift child fight club” has pleaded guilty to one count of permitting child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Sonia F. Hagood, prosecuting attorney for the Second Judicial District, said Mary Tracy Morrison received a sentence of 60 months of probation for the child abuse charge and 12 months of probation for each of the additional charges. She will also serve 30 days in the Craighead County Detention Center.
Upon her release, Morrison will complete 120 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring.
Morrison, an occupational therapist, will be barred from working with children in any professional role after her release. She must also surrender her occupational therapy license and any related credentials.
The judge also ordered her to undergo a mental health evaluation and complete all recommended treatment. She is also prohibited from having any contact with the victim.
“This resolution ensures that the victims are not required to relive these events through the court process and secures conditions that protect the community going forward,” said Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Thomason. “Morrison will no longer be permitted to work with children.”
Parent reports abuse at school
On April 17, 2025, the victim’s mother reported to the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office that her 13-year-old child had experienced mental and physical abuse at the ENGAGE School and The Delta Institute for Developing the Brain.
Investigators obtained video and audio evidence through a search warrant. The footage showed Morrison “instructed the child to sit on the floor while being surrounded on the outside of a circle by 18 other juvenile students and Dr. Morrison.” The affidavit stated that Morrison directed the other students to place their hands on the child in the center and also involved “hitting the child with an unknown object.”
While Morrison verbally berated the child, another student kicked and choked the victim. In response, Morrison was seen “giving the juvenile a high five, displaying her pleasure with the student’s actions.”
After the incident ended, Morrison “instructed the victim to apologize to all other students” and told them the situation should not be discussed again.
According to Hagood, the incident lasted 30 minutes and included a teacher directing a student to hit another “in the private area.”
Authorities also arrested three other school employees in connection with the incident.
“This outcome reflects a thorough evaluation of the evidence, the applicable law, and the best interests of the victim,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Katie Calaway. “It imposes meaningful restrictions and accountability while prioritizing the wellbeing of those affected.”
The case was prosecuted by Thomason and Calaway.