Cops: 11-Year-Old Repeatedly Bullied—by Her Teachers

Two face criminal charges in Opelousas, Louisiana
By Gina Carey,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 30, 2017 7:48 PM CDT
Cops: Teachers Bullied Student, Told Her to 'Kill Herself'
Ann Shelvin, left, and Tracy Gallow are accused of bullying an 11-year-old student at Washington Elementary School in Opelousas, La.   (St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office)

The bullying epidemic may have hit a new low. Two Louisiana teachers were arrested and accused of harassing an 11-year-old girl, reports CNN. The victim’s first teacher, Ann Marie Shelvin, was removed from the school after the student’s mother got the school board as well as local authorities involved in Opelousas. Police say Shelvin threatened to fail three other students if they didn’t fight the victim, and reportedly told her to “go and kill herself.” Tracy Gallow, a former teacher’s aide who took over Shelvin’s classroom, continued harassing the victim in retaliation for reporting Shelvin’s abuse, deputies say. On separate occasions, Gallow was caught on school surveillance cameras pushing the victim onto bleachers, and police say she admitted doing so.

“Students should not have to attend school and be bullied, especially by teachers that are there for their education, guidance, and safety,” says St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz. According to KLFY News, the bullying began in October 2016. The girl's mother first went to police in February and was referred to the school board, then returned to police in April to complain that the abuse was continuing. The teachers face charges including intimidation, malfeasance in office, and interference in school operations. The school board called the reports disturbing and said it plans to investigate. (More bullying stories.)

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