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Brookhaven preschool staff face child cruelty charges
Brookhaven police arrested a lead teacher and a director at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Preschool after investigators uncovered allegations of excessive classroom restraints involving at least six young victims.
BROOKHAVEN, Ga. - A lead preschool teacher and the facility's director face child cruelty charges after Brookhaven police said young children were mistreated inside a classroom.
Investigators began looking into the facility after uncovering information during a separate investigation.
What we know:
Charles Wheeler, 27, a lead teacher at Oglethorpe Presbyterian Pre-School and Kindergarten, has been charged with six counts of cruelty to children in the first degree. Brookhaven Police Department authorities said they began looking into Wheeler after uncovering information during a separate investigation.
"And that led investigators to follow up on that and that led us to arrest that individual for those offenses," Brookhaven Police Lt. Anthony Petron said.
Police also arrested Beverly Moon, the director of the preschool. Moon is charged with party to a crime to cruelty to children in the first degree because police said she had knowledge of the incidents taking place and did not report it to the proper authorities.
Investigators said Wheeler's offenses were both physical and emotional. According to police, Wheeler used "excessive measures" to restrain children inside the classroom, causing them to be in distress.
"During the course of the investigation we had corroborating witnesses that came forward," Petron said. Authorities have identified six victims so far, but they believe there could be additional children affected.
What we don't know:
Police have not released details regarding the nature of the separate investigation that initially led them to Wheeler. It remains unclear how long the alleged mistreatment had been occurring inside the classroom before witnesses came forward.
Authorities have not specified the exact number of times the excessive measures were used or how many additional families might be involved. The identity of the corroborating witnesses who came forward during the investigation has also not been released.
What they're saying:
The acting director of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Pre-School and Kindergarten released a statement noting that the school is fully cooperating with the investigation.
"We must trust that our legal system will do its job and find the truth surrounding these allegations," the statement read. "Meanwhile, teachers and staff remain devoted to the children and preschool and committed to providing a safe nurturing environment for our children."
What's next:
Police said the investigation is ongoing as they look for more potential victims. Anyone with information regarding the case is asked to call the Brookhaven Police Department.
"If there are any other parents that may have had encounter or circumstances where their children came forward about an incident, we encourage them to come forward to us and share that information to see if it's related to this case," Petron said.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from Brookhaven Police Lt. Anthony Petron, who explained how the investigation unfolded and detailed the specific charges, as well as an official statement provided by the acting director of Oglethorpe Presbyterian Pre-School and Kindergarten.