Police filed criminal charges against two Louisiana teachers in connection with the bullying of an 11-year-old student. Authorities detained Ann Marie Shelvin, 44, and Tracy Gallow, 50, following a complaint from the child's mom.
Investigators learned the teachers from Washington Elementary ordered and instigated the bullying of the young girl. Allegedly, one of the teachers also told the student to "go and kill yourself," as per Metro.
The child's mom first reported the teacher's abuse to the local sheriff in February but the problem went as far as October last year. The bullying, however, continued even after filing a complaint. This prompted the mom to report the abuse a second time in April with the St. Landry Parish School Board.
According to police reports CNN obtained, Shelvin ordered three female students to fight the 11-year-old girl or else they will get failed grades. They complied with the order for fear they would also be bullied as that's how it started with the 11-year-old victim.
Sheriff Bobby J. Guildroz said Shelvin first ordered the 11-year-old girl to fight another student. The girl, however, refused and reported her teacher to the principal, according to National Post.
School officials removed Shelvin from her classes following the first report but her replacement, Gallow, also did the same abuse. The school's surveillance camera recorded the teacher's misdeeds.
One incident saw Gallow pushing the 11-year-old on the bleachers. The girl's mom believed Gallow continued bullying her daughter in retaliation or Shelvin, as per NBC Columbus.
Meanwhile, the school board issued a statement assuring the community this act will not be tolerated. "We take reports of this nature very seriously and will do everything in our power to protect the health, safety and welfare of all students," the statement read.
Shelvin faces charges of malfeasance in office, encouraging or contributing to child delinquency and intimidation and interference. Gallow, on the other hand, faces charges of malfeasance in office, battery and intimidation and interference.
