News Summary
A teacher from Pflugerville ISD, McKinzie Merrell, has been arrested for allegedly injuring a kindergartner with autism. The incident, which resulted in finger fractures, raised concerns among the child’s parents, prompting them to transfer him to another school. The school district is cooperating with law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Pflugerville, Texas – A teacher from the Pflugerville Independent School District has been arrested and charged with the serious crime of injuring a child after allegedly causing injuries to a kindergartner. McKinzie Merrell, 31, was taken into custody on September 18, shortly after the district placed her on administrative leave in response to the allegations made against her.
The incident reportedly occurred on September 4 when Merrell was supervising the five-year-old boy, who has autism. Following a review of surveillance footage, authorities noted that Merrell was seen with her arm around the child’s shoulders and subsequently leading him outside while holding his hand. This is where the alleged injury took place, resulting in fractures to the child’s ring and middle fingers, as confirmed by medical professionals.
The child’s parents, Donte and Tabathe Moore, became concerned when they noticed a significant change in their son’s behavior after attending school. In light of these troubling developments, they have made the decision to transfer their son to a different educational institution, citing fear over the situation and their child’s well-being.
The Pflugerville ISD police and child protective services (CPS) have been alerted to the case, and an investigation is currently underway. Merrell is reported to have claimed that the child had hit and kicked her, although no such events were captured on the surveillance video. According to the affidavit, Merrell stated that she did not believe she was pulling the child too hard and did not recall him indicating that he was in pain.
Authorities have urged anyone who may have further information concerning this incident to reach out to the Pflugerville ISD Police Department. The school district has publicly stated its commitment to fully cooperating with law enforcement as they conduct their investigation into these serious allegations.
Due to privacy concerns and the ongoing nature of the legal process, limited information has been made available. The district emphasizes the importance of student safety, and the case highlights the delicate nature of interactions between teachers and students, particularly those with special needs. The community watches closely as details continue to emerge from this troubling situation.
As the investigation continues, the Pflugerville ISD is taking steps to ensure the safety of its students and staff, demonstrating responsiveness to parental concerns and the well-being of the community. The district remains committed to providing a secure educational environment and addressing any issues that arise within its schools.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Pflugerville Families Sue YMCA Over Day Care Abuse Claims
Additional Resources
- Fox 7 Austin: Pflugerville ISD Teacher Arrested
- Wikipedia: Pflugerville, Texas
- CBS Austin: Former Pflugerville ISD Employee Arrested
- Google Search: Pflugerville ISD Teacher Arrest
- News4SanAntonio: Student Arrested for Bringing Sword
- Google Scholar: Pflugerville ISD Arrest Case
- CBS Austin: Pflugerville Middle Schooler Arrested
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pflugerville ISD
- KVUE: Kindergarten Teacher Arrested
- Google News: Pflugerville ISD Kindergarten Teacher Arrest
