Update: Myrtle Beach Elementary aide accused of hitting autistic child after video reviewed
An autistic student has accused a Myrtle Beach Elementary teacher’s aide of hitting him while he was in her care.
The 9-year-old boy told a teacher that the aide hit him in the face and shoulder, according to an arrest warrant.
Georgia Branch, 68, of Myrtle Beach, was charged April 13 with cruelty to children, according to a Myrtle Beach Police report.
This is the second school employee to be arrested within two days of each other for allegedly harming a student.
Gabriel Hernandez, a special education teacher at St. James Intermediate, was arrested April 14 by U.S. Marshals and charged with cruelty to children. That child is also autistic.
Police were notified March 24 by administration that a possible assault had taken place at the school on Seahawk Way between the defendant and the victim, according to a police report.
Police reviewed a video on March 26 that showed where the alleged assault took place. The video shows the student entering a bathroom and then several minutes later the defendant enters, according to the report. The victim then exits the bathroom crying and holding his right shoulder.
With the mother present, the student removed his shirt and redness could be seen on his shoulder several hours later, according to the report.
Police interviewed the student who said that Branch hit him on the right side of his face and shoulder.
The school system identified Branch as a paraprofessional. A statement was released April 14 by Lisa Bourcier, director of strategic communications and community engagement.
“On Thursday morning (April 13, 2023) we were notified that Georgia Branch, a paraprofessional at Myrtle Beach Elementary School, was arrested by the Myrtle Beach Police Department for cruelty to children (misdemeanor). Ms. Branch has been on administrative leave with pay since March 27 due to the alleged incident and will remain on leave until further notice.”
Another Horry County school employee was charged last year with unlawful conduct toward a child and the principal who allegedly failed to report it. The incident happened at Ocean Bay Elementary.
This story was originally published April 14, 2023 at 12:28 PM.
