A Connecticut preschool teacher is facing a felony charge after authorities say she dragged a young student across a classroom and left him alone in a hallway.
Teacher Charged in Classroom Incident
Stacy Vaughn-Marcella, 61, has been charged with one count of risk of injury to a child in connection with a Dec. 1 incident at the University of Hartford Magnet School.
Police began investigating the following day after a caregiver reported the incident and later reviewed classroom video showing the child being dragged by his feet.
Incident Before Nap Time
According to investigators, the situation began shortly before nap time when the child, one of several 3- and 4-year-olds in the classroom, became upset.
Witnesses said the boy grew frustrated after being unable to join a play station and began throwing items. He later climbed onto a bookshelf and started pulling items off the wall.
After being helped down, the situation escalated further.
Allegations of Dragging and Isolation
Witnesses told police the teacher grabbed the child by his legs while he was on his back and dragged him approximately 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom into a hallway.
The child was then left alone for several minutes while the classroom door was closed.
Authorities say the boy remained in the hallway for five to 10 minutes, during which time he was seen crying and throwing objects at the door.
A staff member later found him in distress and took him to a behavior specialist.
Video and Medical Evaluation
Surveillance footage reviewed by police captured part of the incident, though some of the view was obstructed. Investigators said the child appeared visibly distressed after being left outside the classroom.
The child was later taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center after showing signs of dizziness and unusual behavior. Doctors did not find any physical injuries.
Teacher’s Response
Vaughn-Marcella denied intentionally dragging the child, telling investigators she was trying to stop him from kicking her during what she described as an intense outburst.
She said the child’s movement on the floor caused him to slide as she attempted to restrain him and that she allowed him to move into the hallway for the safety of other students.
School Response and Parent Concerns
School officials said the teacher was placed on administrative leave immediately after the allegation surfaced and will not return.
Parents were not broadly notified until late March, when the school sent a message about a staff member’s arrest. The delay prompted some concern among families.
School leadership said the timing of communication was guided by legal advice to avoid interfering with the investigation.
Case Status
Vaughn-Marcella was arrested in January and later released on a $5,000 bond.
She is scheduled to appear in court on April 29 as the case moves forward.
