A Spalding County elementary school principal and teacher surrendered Tuesday on charges of cruelty to children and battery for allegedly using excessive physical force against students, according to police.
Principal Aveory Allen and teacher Derek Wilder were placed on administrative leave from Atkinson Elementary School, where the alleged abuse took place, police and the school system said. Allen and Wilder allegedly grabbed two boys by the neck, according to investigators.
After the March 26 incident, parents of the two children reported the allegations to school system leaders, who began an investigation and contacted Griffin police. A Griffin police sergeant conducted numerous interviews with the alleged victims, witnesses, school staff and parents.
“During the investigation it was determined that there were discrepancies in statements made by Mr. Allen to parents, school officials, and the police department,” police said Tuesday in an emailed statement.
Allen allegedly claimed the boys were fighting at the time, but investigators determined that was not true, police said. After consulting with the District Attorney’s office, Allen and Wilder were charged with one count each of cruelty to children in the second degree, a felony, and misdemeanor battery, police said. The two men turned themselves in Tuesday morning.
“The Griffin Police Department would like to state that we are very familiar with the good character and reputation of both of the men involved in this incident,” police said in an emailed statement. “In as much as it is an unfortunate event for all parties involved, we make our decisions based on the facts and evidence.”
Assistant principal Tiffany Campbell is leading the school in the interim, the school system said.
About the Author
