Leon County Schools exonerates teachers despite active criminal investigation into “child abuse.”

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – A Leon County mother wants answers after she reports a teacher left her daughter in a school bathroom.

It has since been revealed that the teacher involved in the case is back at work despite a sheriff’s office investigation into “child abuse.”

Leon County mother Tanya Welch filed a complaint after her daughter was placed in the Woodville School bathroom as punishment. Although a criminal investigation is ongoing, Leon County Schools says it has cleared the teacher of wrongdoing.

“As she went into the bathroom, she heard the teacher and the other students laughing and making fun of her,” Welch said.

Until this incident, her son and daughter attended Woodville School in Leon County.

Welch says her daughter has a disability and was given the opportunity to go to the bathroom at any time.

The girl is said to have access to the bathroom adjacent to her classroom. But on September 23, her daughter was told to stay in the toilet until class ended.

“She [the teacher] I even asked the class whether or not they should let my daughter out of the bathroom. And of course the class said no,” Welch said.

The Leon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to WCTV that the incident is under criminal investigation. However, a spokesperson for Leon County Schools tells us the teacher has been cleared and is returning to work.

After this incident, Welch removed her children from school.

School spokesman Chris Petley says the complaint was “not sustained” after the district conducted its own investigation.

During a phone call, the spokesperson told WCTV that a complaint was received at the school level. The school interviewed the teacher in the presence of its union representative, and some students were also interviewed.

Petley said the district referred to the incident as “he said, she said” and ultimately not enough was found to say a child was “locked” in the bathroom.

But Welch disputes this version of events. She said she acted quickly after her daughter told her what happened.

“She let me know and I immediately called the school and the sheriff’s department and let them know,” Welch said.

A heavily redacted sheriff’s report shows the office is investigating two possible cases of child abuse without major bodily harm.

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Welch reports that a detective has now taken over the case and interviewed her daughter.

“While the Leon County Sheriff’s Office still has an ongoing investigation with her, [the school district] “We have completed their investigation before the sheriff’s office,” Welch said.

Welch reports the incident was witnessed by her son, who is taking the same class. She has since hired Tallahassee-based attorney Douglas McAlarney and is exploring her options.

Below is Leon County Schools’ full statement regarding the incident and investigation:

“On September 23, 2024, Woodville K-8 School received a complaint from a parent regarding alleged teacher misconduct related to a 504 plan. The teacher involved was placed on leave on September 24, 2024 and the allegations were reported to the Department of Children and Families and local law enforcement. An internal investigation found there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations. The district is not aware of any outside agency conducting a further investigation.

The teacher involved was placed on administrative leave for nine days and then returned to duty without supervising the student involved in the allegation.

The principal and school board have high expectations and policies to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff is maintained at all times.”

It is important to note that no criminal charges have been filed at this time. Ultimately, the Leon County Prosecutor will make that decision.

The state has received a complaint from the Department of Children and Families (DCF), but the outcome of the investigation is unknown at this time. A DCF spokesperson told WCTV they are investigating the matter.

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