Attleboro teacher arrested for allegedly assaulting 2 students with autism

ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WLNE) — An Attleboro teacher was arrested for allegedly assaulting two students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

According to officials, on Nov. 26, the Attleboro Police Department was contacted by a school administrator from Thacher Elementary School reporting that a staff member allegedly assaulted multiple students.

Police said their initial investigation revealed that multiple staff members at the school witnessed 57-year-old Susan Martin, a licensed special education classroom teacher, physically assault students on at least two separate occasions on Nov. 26.

One 5-year-old student was allegedly slapped in the face by Martin in the morning, around 11:55 a.m., while the other 5-year-old was allegedly pushed and slapped by Martin in the afternoon, around 1 p.m.

Both incidents were allegedly witnessed by several other staff members, and occurred in a classroom setting.

Investigators said they learned that the first incident was reported to school administrators between 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., which was three hours prior to being reported to police.

Officials said the second incident then came to light after school administrators began speaking with other staff members after the first incident was reported.

School administrators had asked Martin to leave the school after being placed on administrative leave several hours prior to reporting the incident to the police.

Police assigned to the investigation secured an arrest warrant for Martin on two counts of assault and battery on a person with with an intellectual disability.

However, Martin was unable to be immediately arrested after the issuance of the warrant because, investigators learned, she left the state on a pre-planned vacation to Florida.

Attleboro Police Detectives located Martin today at her residence in Kingston where she was taken into custody without incident.

She was transported to the Attleboro Police station for booking, and then brought to court for her arraignment.

According to officials, the incident remains under investigation.

Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer released a statement on the matter, partially reading:

The Attleboro Public Schools have been cooperating fully with the Attleboro Police Department in its investigation and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office in the prosecution of this case. The District continues to support the affected students and their families during this difficult time.

When allegations were brought to our attention on Nov. 26, the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave, and we began an internal investigation in accordance with District procedures. The District also notified the Attleboro Police Department and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, consistent with our policies and procedures.