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HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Huntersville Police in North Carolina are investigating after a Blythe Elementary School teacher was allegedly caught kissing a 5-year-old student in the school’s bathroom.
The student’s mother told Nexstar’s Queen City News a staff member saw the kiss and reported it to school officials. Elizabeth Szumski’s daughter is nonverbal with autism, and the mom knew something was wrong when her child started showing signs she didn’t want to go to school.
“What else has she endured?” she said. “Why has she been crying every day since she started this school?”
Those are the questions running through Szumski’s mind after pulling her kindergartener out of her Blythe Elementary classroom.
“I knew something was wrong at the school,” she said.
The mom said she noticed behavioral differences in her daughter and went to the school to figure out the problem, but administrators didn’t have an answer. A few days later, she got a call.
“There was an incident where a staff member was caught kissing my daughter in the bathroom, caught by another staff member,” said Szumski.
Knowing her 5-year-old can’t communicate what might have happened hurts the most.
“She can’t tell her side of the story,” she said. “She’ll never be able to. She can’t defend herself. She can’t speak up for herself.”
An incident report shows the staff member was removed from the classroom but not from the school. So far, no charges have been filed in this case. Szumski wants someone held accountable.
“I’ll never be able to trust somebody again with my child for as long as she goes to school,” she said.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools leaders released the following statement:
We are aware of an alleged incident involving a staff member. Due to privacy laws, we are unable to share any details or information regarding the investigation. I want to assure you that we take the safety and well-being of our students very seriously. We appreciate and understand your interest in this matter. Thank you for your continued support of Blythe Elementary School.
