Erin Wheeler, a 34-year-old special education teacher at South Carolina Whitmore School in Columbia, faces charges of unlawful neglect of a child after allegedly punching a minor in the forehead and upper body on November 27, 2025.
Incident Overview
The alleged assault occurred off school property and did not involve one of Wheeler’s students; the child reportedly tried to block the blows, resulting in bruises on their arms. Police state Wheeler followed the victim into a bathroom to continue the attack. She was arrested by the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department, with no prior criminal record noted.
Legal Proceedings
On January 15, 2026, a judge set Wheeler’s bond at $2,500 and issued a no-contact order with the child and their family. The victim’s mother criticized the bond amount as too low, while Wheeler’s attorney described her as a respected community member. Conviction could lead to up to 10 years in prison.
School Response
Named the school’s 2025 Teacher of the Year in March by Principal Eboné Adams for her compassion and advocacy, Wheeler holds degrees from Columbia College. South Carolina Whitmore School placed her on paid administrative leave pending investigation, confirming the incident was unrelated to her role or students.
