RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A teacher at a Brunswick County middle school is facing an assault and battery charge after what the county sheriff said was a disagreement with a student that turned physical.
Thirty-three year old Wilson Taylor IV was arrested just after 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Deputies responded to reports from School Resource Officers of an incident between a teacher and a student.
Investigators said there was enough probable cause to charge Taylor, an eighth grade science teacher at James S. Russell Middle School. They said the student involved was a male, and that the incident occurred in a classroom with 15 other students present.
“We were able to confirm that the teacher did in fact strike and or hit this child,” said Sheriff Brian Roberts.
Roberts told 8News the altercation began in a “shouting match,” that “turned physical.” He said a nearby teacher initially intervened before the school’s student resource officer from the sheriff’s office arrived to assist.
Taylor was transported to Meherrin River Regional Jail, but was later released on his own recognizance, Roberts said.
“Assault and battery is a class one misdemeanor, and a class one misdemeanor in the state of Virginia, you can serve up to one year in jail,” Roberts said.
Brunswick County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kristy Somerville-Midgette released a statement to 8News on Wednesday, saying the matter was handled according to the school system’s policies and procedures. The school system is working with the sheriff’s office to investigate the incident further.
“The class had about 15 plus kids in it. We tried to get statement last from those kids, parents started calling in,” Roberts said.
It is unclear whether the student was injured in the incident, or whether they will face any punishment from the school for his involvement.
