In a troubling turn of events, a South Carolina educator who once earned the title of “Teacher of the Year” finds herself embroiled in a legal battle. Erin Wheeler, 34, has been arrested on charges of allegedly assaulting a child, according to reports from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

Wheeler, currently serving as a special education teacher at South Carolina Whitmore School, which is an online charter high school based in Columbia, faces one count of unlawful neglect of a child. The allegations against her stem from an incident reported last fall.

The incident reportedly occurred on November 27, 2025, when Wheeler is accused of striking a child on the forehead. According to law enforcement, the situation escalated as Wheeler allegedly pursued the child into a bathroom, continuing to hit them on the forehead and upper body.

This arrest marks a significant shift in Wheeler’s career, casting a shadow over her previous accolades. The case has drawn attention not only due to the serious nature of the allegations but also because of Wheeler’s past recognition in the education sector.

Details of the incident were made public following the release of an incident report, which was obtained by WIS, an NBC and The CW affiliate based in Columbia. As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about accountability and conduct within educational institutions.

The child, for their part, attempted to block the punches with their arms and sustained bruises as a result, according to law enforcement.

The alleged victim was not one of Wheeler’s students and the incident is not alleged to have occurred on school property.

During a Jan. 15 hearing, the judge overseeing the case set the defendant’s bond at $2,500 and issued an order prohibiting the educator from having any contact with the child in question or their family, according to a courtroom report by WIS.

The child’s mother subsequently complained Wheeler received a “low bond,” according to WIS. The defendant’s attorney also spoke out, calling his client “a shining figure in the community.”

In March 2025, Wheeler was named South Carolina Whitmore School’s “2025 Teacher of the Year,” according to a press release issued by the institution.

“Mrs. Wheeler consistently demonstrates a deep compassion for her students, earning the trust and respect of both students and families,” principal Eboné Adams said in a statement about the honor. “Her unwavering commitment to advocating for and supporting them is evident in all her interactions. Beyond her work at SC Whitmore, Mrs. Wheeler represents our school on various committees, passionately sharing the importance of our mission and helping students across the state achieve success. We are incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our team, and her contributions are greatly appreciated. This recognition is well-deserved, and her colleagues wholeheartedly agree.”

Since her arrest, however, Wheeler has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation, the school said.

In a statement provided to local media, the school elaborated:

South Carolina Whitmore School’s administration was informed today of the arrest of one of its faculty members by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. To the best of our knowledge, the incident leading to the arrest did not involve the employee’s employment with South Carolina Whitmore School or any South Carolina Whitmore School student. The employee has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

While the sheriff’s department described the charge against her as a lone count of child neglect, Lexington County court records reviewed by Law&Crime show Wheeler is charged under a statute that criminalizes unlawfully placing a child at risk of or causing harm.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.