Teaching assistants ‘hit student, 10, in face and put boy, 5, in chokehold’

Teaching assistants Elizabeth Kay Sutton and Otoria McClung are due in court after they allegedly assaulted the children at a primary school within months of one another

Two teaching assistants have been fired after one allegedly hit a 10-year-old pupil in the face and another is accused of putting a boy, aged 5, in a chokehold.

Elizabeth Kay Sutton and Otoria McClung were charged with assault and battery upon a student after the disturbing allegations came to light. Police arrived at Elgin Elementary School on January 8 after headteacher Gabe Winn claimed Sutton, 38, had grabbed a 10-year-old pupil, forced him back into his chair before she hit him in the face.

CCTV footage allegedly recorded the moment Sutton appeared to move her arm toward the boy’s face, which resulted in him turning his head away from the teaching assistant.

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The boy’s teacher later saw a red mark on his face after he came back from lunch break. Sutton attempted to explain her actions at the Oklahoma school, claiming the child “had been difficult since returning to school after the break.”

She alleged to have used a technique taught to her as a paraprofessional and that she did not mean to hurt him. She had only been a teaching assistant for five months and was later arrested then pleaded not guilty. She went on to be fired, as reported by the Lawton Constitution.

Months after the arrest, McClung was allegedly seen carrying a 5-year-old in a chokehold down a hallway. A witness told police the boy’s face was red and that he had been crying and hitting McClung’s arm as she reportedly said: “I can’t deal with this.”

McClung, 37, was arrested following the March 13 allegations. Superintendent Nate Meraz said in a statement that “all of the appropriate authorities were notified immediately,” and went on to assure parents ” all employees must pass a background check and professional references are called prior to employment.”

“Both of these instances were reported to administration by fellow employees which reflects the culture of accountability here. My philosophy on personnel is this: If we have reasonable hesitation in the interview process, we will not employ you.

“Once employed, if you harm a student, you will be terminated. We are here to educate kids in a safe environment. Elgin Public Schools’ highest priority is the safety and well-being of its students.”

Sutton and McClung are next due to appear in court on May 20.