Anastagia Carter, 51, principal of Indian Creek Elementary School in Clarkston, Georgia, was arrested last week after multiple charges of child cruelty and false imprisonment were filed against her. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was contacted by the Coffee County Board of Education when it received information about an incident involving Carter and a student, according to Fox News.
The GBI released a statement confirming that Carter has been charged with “two counts of first-degree cruelty to a child, two counts of third-degree cruelty to a child, two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of simple battery," that stemmed from incidents that occurred at the school, reported Fox News.
Police learned of a second incident after they arrested Carter.
Carter was taken into custody by the Coffee County Sheriff's Office, when the GBI learned of a second incident allegedly involving Carter, during a preliminary investigation. Details about the investigation have not been released to the public.
The school district released a statement on its Facebook page.
"The Coffee County School System has been notified of allegations concerning the principal at Indian Creek Elementary School," the statement reads. "When this matter first came to the attention of the school system, a report was immediately made to the Department of Family and Children Services and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The principal was immediately placed on administrative leave."
The Coffee County School system also noted all questions and concerns should be directed to the Region 4 Investigative Office of the GBI in Douglas.
Public opinion varies.
Readers weighed in with their opinions in the comments on a Yahoo News post, as well as on social media. Some readers and users posted comments in support of the principal.
“She probably disciplined them PROPERLY," one user wrote. "Some parents refuse to do their jobs.”
Others agreed with their own supporting statements.
“So she was doing her job," another commented.
“Could this be a case of a spoiled kid, raised by lousy parents who think they need to sue because their child wasn't treated as King/Queen of the world?" someone wondered. "Seems to me that if actual harm was done it would have been reported fully."
Some readers were not so supportive with their comments.
“Private businesses would have fired her," suggested one commenter. "Government jobs are protected with 'pay while at home.' What is with the cover up? No information on this after these many charges? Total schools of today covering up violence against kids. Protecting the school official who is a criminal. This is why parents take the law into their own hands even if law enforcement is trying to help it just won't be fast enough.”
It's enough to instill fear in parents.
"Take a good hard look," advised one commenter. "This is your property taxes at work. Look at that face, now imagine a child in fear of that face. Terrified of it. THIS IS OUR CHILDREN SHE IS ALLEGEDLY IMPRISONING. Public schools. You can find much better stuff at the local landfill. We accept it and it grows unchecked. Maybe one day."
Anyone with information about the matter should contact the GBI regional investigative office in Douglas at 912-389-4103. Anonymous tips are also welcome and can be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS.
