Teacher Arrested Over Alleged Abuse of Special Education Student

In a shocking turn of events, a former teacher from Williams Memorial Elementary has been taken into custody on charges related to child cruelty. The incident, which took place in late February, involved a seven‑year‑old boy who reportedly was left to remain soiled and then physically pushed into a bathroom. Witnesses claim the teacher later forced the child to sit in his seat while under the supervision of a speech therapist. The accused, 62‑year‑old Jane Elizabeth Batten from Summerville, was arrested on April 2. She faces two misdemeanor counts that could lead to up to a month in jail or a $200 fine. According to court documents, Batten was working in the special education classroom on February 26 when an unnamed observer saw her shove the student. The boy had soiled himself twice that day, and it is alleged that Batten let him stay in his damp clothing until she was compelled to help him.Further allegations say that Batten pushed the boy as he walked toward a changing station, then later placed her hands on his shoulders and forced him into his seat during a speech therapy session. The boy’s mother had previously expressed concerns that her son was being bullied by teachers during a parent‑teacher meeting, as noted in an incident report. After the allegations surfaced, Batten was suspended for two weeks and subsequently resigned. The Dorchester School District Four spokesperson confirmed that she is no longer employed at the school and reiterated that the district does not tolerate criminal behavior on its premises, emphasizing the safety of children as a top priority.