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School workers gave spicy takis to student with digestive issues: police
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School workers gave spicy takis to student with digestive issues: police

Three employees at a Delaware elementary school have been arrested after authorities say they abused children with special needs.

Makayla Lomax, 31, Marrisa Johnson, 26, and Morgan Donahue, 21, are all charged with endangering the welfare of a child, according to a press release shared by the Smyrna Police Department in early November. Lomax also faces charges of third-degree child abuse and offensive touching.

It is unclear whether the suspects have pleaded guilty or retained attorneys to speak on their behalf.

An investigation that began in February found that employees working in a classroom at an elementary school for students with special needs in the Smyrna school district allegedly “threw objects at students, yelled at them and would have insulted them,” according to the press release.

Police say Johnson and Donahue are accused of giving Takis with hot sauce to a special needs student in late 2022, knowing the child had a digestive disorder.

Additionally, Lomax allegedly punched a student in the face and doused the victim with a water bottle as a “form of discipline,” police said. Authorities have not released further details regarding the investigation.

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Smyrna School District issued a statement on Nov. 6 after the arrests were announced, saying the district had cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

“The affected employees have not been in the presence of our students since the district was made aware of the alleged wrongdoing,” the statement read in part.

“Most of the people suspected of being involved no longer work for the district,” it continues. “With respect to remaining employees, the district will respect employees’ privacy rights regarding termination of employment, and we will report to the Department of Education’s Division of Licensing and Certification. “