A Clarksville resident and former staff member at Martin Luther King Jr. Early Learning Center has been arrested following investigation into allegations of abuse.
According to the arrest report from the Christian County Public Schools Police Department, investigation began Friday morning after Constance Larson, a staff member, was reportedly observed on a school monitoring camera striking a child multiple times.
Larson denied this in an interview with officers, but the footage allegedly shows her raising both hands simultaneously and making physical contact with the child in a striking motion, and the child’s reaction is consistent with being in pain.
At the time the incident occurred, Larson was employed as a daycare working for CCPS and was acting as the caretaker to the child. She was arrested and charged with second-degree criminal abuse against a child under the age of 12.
In a statement from CCPS Director of Communications Johnna Brown, officials confirmed the allegation and arrest of the staff member. Upon receiving the allegation, the school immediately removed the staff member from the classroom.
It goes on to say, “The district will not tolerate actions that threaten the safety of children or students in its care. The safety and well-being of children is the district’s highest priority. The district will continue to take all appropriate steps to ensure a safe environment for the children in its care.”
