Trash Can + feces

Ex-teacher faces charges in special ed pupil’s abuse

A former special education teacher at Norfork Elementary School faces a misdemeanor charge of child endangerment after being accused of abusing a pupil.

Loretta Dianne Cruse, 59, surrendered at the Baxter County sheriff’s office Friday after authorities had issued a warrant for her arrest. The charge, endangering the welfare of a minor in the second degree, is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $ 1, 000 fine.

An affidavit in support of her arrest said Cruse punished an 8-year-old, non-verbal pupil with severe learning disabilities Jan. 10 by putting a dirty trash can over his head and striking the trash can several times. Two teacher’s aides told authorities the trash can may have contained the boy’s feces, which they said they had cleaned up after he had a bowel movement two hours earlier.