CHARLESTON, S.C. – Four parents of special needs elementary students are suing the Charleston County School District, alleging that a teacher assaulted their children.
Karen Moore’s special education class at Drayton Hall Elementary School includes three four-year-olds and one three-year-old. Three of the students have Down syndrome, while one has autism, according to court filings filed on July 17.
The matter came to light when a substitute teacher named Kierra Tucker taught in Moore’s class in the spring of 2024. According to the lawsuit, Tucker was ‘ shocked’ and ‘appalled’ and wrote a social media post about Moore’s classroom outlining the situation.
Tucker claimed that the children’s water cups were moldy, feces and urine were on the changing table, floor, and wall, dirty diapers were on the table, and broken glass was on the floor. She claimed she witnessed Moore verbally abusing youngsters and that the children were all afraid of Moore.
Amanda Gillespie, a teaching assistant in Moore’s class, has validated Tucker’s accusations, according to court filings. Gillespie also stated that she had warned the school administration of Moore’s actions multiple times, but no action was taken until Tucker’s social media post.
Moore was placed on administrative leave while the school district and Charleston Police Department investigated.
According to one parent, Moore sat on top of their child, gripped her legs, and forcibly yanked her around in the lawsuit. The youngster would also return home with wet and filthy diapers and start having night terrors in which they would scream and weep. During automobile rides to school, the parents claimed the child would hide under a blanket to avoid going.
Another parent claimed Moore smacked their child and grabbed his hair. As a result, the youngster got more violent and contracted illnesses and viruses throughout the maltreatment, according to the lawsuit.
The three-year-old’s mother said her child would punch the household dog while crying ‘no’ and ‘bad’ after both parents spotted the child returning home from school with inexplicable bruises.
The plaintiffs in the suits claim that the Charleston County School District was grossly negligent and failed to exercise care in a variety of ways, including failing to provide a safe environment for students, failing to monitor and supervise Karen Moore, failing to investigate claims against her, failing to protect children’s health and safety, failing to comply with internal policy, and more.
They want to be compensated for damages, legal fees, and whatever else is judged necessary by a jury.
The school administration stated that their investigation into the claims is still ongoing. “Ms. Moore was placed on administrative leave at the end of the 2023-24 school year and is currently on summer break,” said Sully White, a CCSD public relations officer.
Charleston Police stated there is an ongoing investigation into the incident, but no charges have been filed.