BRUCETON, Tenn. — Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Elementary Pre-K teacher Debra Robertson was booked into Carroll County Jail on Wednesday morning, September 2, following allegations that she assaulted a student in her classroom last Friday, just three weeks into the school year.
According to an affidavit of complaint filed by Carroll County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Chris Cole, Robertson forcefully held a 4-year-old male student by the neck and head area and shoved a biscuit into his mouth on August 28 at approximately 8:30 a.m. The affidavit states the child was visibly distraught after the incident and suffered a busted lip.
Robertson was charged with assault under T.C.A. § 39-13-101. Bond was set at $2,500.
In a statement, Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District said it received notice that Robertson was in the process of being charged with assault. The district said the charge involves allegations of mistreatment of a student in her classroom, and that Robertson was immediately placed on suspension on the date of the incident. She remains on suspension without pay pending the outcome of the case.
Anna Townsend, the child’s mother, said school officials contacted her on Friday afternoon to inform her of the incident, and she reviewed surveillance footage of the classroom.
“It was heartbreaking,” Townsend said. “It took everything in me and his father not to break out in tears in that office watching that. We had to hold it together.”
Townsend said the video showed Robertson attempting to forcibly feed her son after he refused to eat, resulting in a cut lip and a scratch on his face. Townsend said the footage also shows her son crying with his face covered afterward while Robertson continued berating him.
“My son simply did not want to eat breakfast, and she took it upon herself to try and force him to eat,” Townsend said. “I don’t see any excuse for what she did or why she did it.”
Townsend said it’s been a difficult few days since the incident.
“I hate that [my son] had to suffer because of this, but now a lot of people in the community who have reached out to me are relieved to know that this woman will not be around our children anymore,” Townsend said.
As of this publication, Robertson’s first court appearance date has not been set.
Carroll County Observer will provide more information as it comes available.
