Former Sedge Garden Teaching Assistant Charged With Child Abuse Counts

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A former teaching assistant at Sedge Garden Elementary School faces misdemeanor charges of child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile tied to reported incidents inside a prekindergarten classroom in 2024, according to Winston-Salem police.

Teresa Hazlett, 59, turned herself in Tuesday and received the charges from investigators. Police said the case stems from conduct reported inside the school’s pre-K program last year.

Records from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services show state reviewers documented multiple violations in March 2024 inside the program. A letter sent to the school’s principal at the time described repeated improper conduct involving children during naptime.

State findings said a staff member forcefully restrained a child, lifted a child by the arm, kicked a child, yelled harshly, and covered a child’s head with a blanket while pushing the head downward with a foot. The agency classified the actions as violations of child care safety statutes.

After the review, the Division of Child Development and Early Education ordered corrective steps for the pre-K program, which operates inside the Kernersville elementary school.

Police opened a criminal investigation soon after the state findings. At the time, officers declined to release details due to the active case.

School district officials removed Hazlett from classroom duties on Nov. 25, 2024, after a report to human resources. District records show she worked with the system for about 18 years.

Hazlett appeared before a magistrate and received a $5,000 unsecured bond. A court date sits set for April 14. Police said investigators continue work on the case.

The former principal received a paid suspension during a district human resources review and now serves in a special assignment role. A new principal leads the school.

Superintendent Don Phipps said student safety stands as the district’s top priority and staff follow strict policies and training standards. He said the allegations do not match district values.