CHINA GROVE, NC — A disgruntled employee, a school on lock down and tense moments for stressed out parents in Rowan County.
An elementary school teacher is accused of assaulting an eight year old student.
“We do have a concern about a disgruntled employee, and we are going to take every precaution and be proactive in making sure our students are safe,” says Rita Foil with Rowan-Salisbury Schools.
The call went out letting parents know that China Grove Elementary School, and two Rowan-Salisbury Schools administrative buildings, were on lock-down because of a perceived threat from a teacher.
“They just said they was under a code yellow lock down and that everything was normal,” says David Harris, whose child attends China Grove Elementary.
Police served a warrant on first-grade teacher Rebecca Daniel. She’s charged with misdemeanor assault on a child under 12.
That arrest warrant says she grabbed an eight year old student by the arm, pulled him and poked him in the chest while scolding him.
Daniel reportedly told someone at the school that she planned to return to the office.
The superintendent was in contact with police, and decided to call a code yellow lock down.
“It concerns me because you don’t ever know if it’s somebody on the inside or the outside,” says Tonya Alvarado, whose son is a 5th grader.
Officers were at the school throughout the day. Exterior school doors and classroom doors were locked. Blinds were closed. No students were allowed outside the building, but parents were allowed to come and get their kids.
Plenty did.
“I came and got my son. I don’t want my son to be harmed by anybody in there,” says Alvarado.
The China Grove police chief tells WCCB Charlotte that Rebecca Daniel was suspended and later terminated by Rowan-Salisbury schools.
Daniel is scheduled to appear in court July 8th.
