A Conyers special education teacher has been arrested and charged with assaulting two 5-year-old students in her care at C.J. Hicks Elementary School, as reported by WSBTV. Janice Foot, 58, now faces charges of cruelty to children after investigators discovered video evidence of her using physical force to punish the young students.
Foot's arrest was the culmination of a police investigation initiated on Nov. 8 when parents were alerted by school officials about the alleged abuse leading to her termination. These parents, following an alarming notification of their child's maltreatment by Foot, reached out to the Conyers Police Department reports Atlanta News First. Foot is accused of forcing one child's head against a desk to prevent him from watching a movie shown to the class, and while details on the assault of the second child were not specified, both victims were reported to have sustained bruises and scratches on their heads.
Following her December 12 arrest, Foot was booked into Rockdale County Jail but was released the same day after posting a $10,000 bond. In light of these allegations, the Conyers Police Department is actively seeking further information and encourages anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward.
Video and audio recordings retrieved from the former teacher's classroom confirm the abusive acts described by the police, with such footage revealing the extent of Foot's inappropriate, coercive discipline tactics on not one, but two of her young students. While the specific events surrounding the second child's injuries remain unclear, deep scratches and marks tell a disturbing story of physical aggression that transpired within the walls of a place meant for learning and safety. Detectives are asking anyone with information about these incidents to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (770) 929-4203, according to Atlanta News First.
