A former substitute teacher in Connecticut is facing assault charges after allegedly hitting a student. Ruthanna Terreri was working with students at Chester Elementary School when the incident took place. Although she claims that she merely tapped a student on the head, the child she hit is saying otherwise. Not only that, but other children also supported the student’s assertion that she was slapped and not just gently tapped.
Naturally, as soon as school officials found out about the incident, Terreri was placed on leave. Hitting a child, no matter how you may have done it, is definitely a big no-no.
We don’t know what Terreri’s role at the school was on the day of the incident.
@wfsbnews (5/14/2026) In a letter to families sent out Tuesday, Regional School District #4 Superintendent Brian White said that the incident happened on April 27th. It was reported to administration at Chester Elementary School that the teacher, 64-year-old Ruthanna Terreri, struck a student in the head. She was immediately placed on administrative leave and later fired on April 29th. #localnews #breakingnews #connecticut #connecticutnews #wfsb #news #CT #chester #chesterct #arrested #crime #fired #teacher #substitute ♬ original sound – wfsbnews
Terreri was arrested May 6, 2026, in connection with the incident, which took place on April 27, WTNH reported. The victim, who has not been identified, was in the school’s broadcast room between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. to help with a live morning broadcast recording. In addition to the victim and Terreri, three other students were present.
The victim’s responsibilities during the broadcast included changing slides, adjusting the microphone volume, and counting 30 seconds during a moment of silence.
Five seconds into the count, as she was silently using her fingers, the 64-year-old teacher allegedly hit her on the right side of the head with an open palm, WTNH reported. The girl continued counting, and about 15 seconds in, Terreri reportedly hit her again, this time on the top of the head. Out of fear she’d be hit again, the girl never made it to 30, according to the arrest warrant.
The girl told police that the first slap “startled” her, but the second “caused pain.” She even used a slapping motion with an open palm when describing what happened.
Terreri claimed that she did not slap, strike, or forcefully touch the victim.
Instead, she claimed that she merely “tapped” the girl with her index and middle fingers twice on the back of the head, per WTNH. According to the affidavit, she said the girl didn’t even visibly react to the physical contact.
Two witnesses, however, told police Terreri hit the girl with an open palm during the count, and one of the witnesses reported hearing a slapping sound with each hit. Both witnesses made a slapping motion with an open palm when describing the interaction.
After the broadcast, Terreri allegedly said to the students, “I thought you girls said you knew what you were doing,” according to one of the witnesses, FOX 61 reported.
According to the New Haven Register, a state trooper responded to Chester Elementary School after the 12-year-old girl’s mother reported that her daughter had been slapped by a teacher.
Terreri was charged with third-degree assault and risk of injury to a minor. She was released on a $5,000 bond and was expected to appear in court on May 21.
The school district has directly addressed the situation.
Brian White, superintendent of Regional School District No. 4, sent a letter to Chester Elementary School parents addressing the incident involving Terreri, WFSB reported. In the letter, White assured families that the district “immediately placed the substitute teacher on administrative leave and her employment with Chester Board of Education ended on April 29, 2026.”
He also acknowledged that a police investigation had started, and that it was ongoing. As a result, he said “we do not have further information to share at this time.”
“We understand that this afternoon, there has been discussion on social media regarding the former substitute teacher, after a related news story aired today,” the letter from White noted. “While we would typically address personnel matters or individual student matters with only the parties involved, we feel it is important in this instance to share additional information regarding this matter with the full school community to dispel any rumors, and to alleviate any potential concerns about how this situation was addressed by building and district officials.
“Please know that the safety of our students is always our top priority and we do not condone or permit hitting or inappropriate touching of students for any reason,” the letter continued. “If you have any questions or concerns related to your child, please contact the building principal or me and we will be glad to assist and provide the necessary support. We appreciate the trust you place in us, and we assure you that this matter was handled swiftly and appropriately.”
