A Texas kindergarten teacher accused of attacking and injuring a 5-year-old child by breaking a pencil has been fired over the violent incident, school officials confirmed. us weekly.
Pamela MitchellThe 64-year-old was arrested Thursday, Feb. 19, after a teacher’s aide reported an assault to the Department of Family and Protective Services, according to an arrest affidavit seen by KWTX-TV.
The affidavit said the attack occurred in a classroom at JH Hines Elementary School in Waco on Jan. 8 when an aide said she told Mitchell that a 5-year-old boy had broken a pencil when Mitchell briefly left the classroom, the station reported.
In response, Mitchell walked up to the boy, “grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back and forced him out of the chair,” Waco Independent School District police said in an affidavit, the station reported.
Documents say Mitchell then forced the student into a corner of the classroom and put his knee into the boy’s back, pushing him into the corner, KWTX-TV reported.
Texas elementary school staffer arrested for restraining and harming special needs student
In a statement shared with us Waco Independent School District Spokesperson Jill Anderson On Tuesday, Feb. 24, the district said Mitchell was charged with injury to a child.
It’s unclear whether Mitchell has retained legal counsel or entered a plea.
Anderson confirmed that Mitchell was hired as a kindergarten teacher at JH Hines Elementary School in October 2025.
Anderson said she was fired over the alleged assault.
“Waco ISD is committed to the safety and well-being of every student,” the district said in a statement. “We take every incident that compromises student safety seriously and thoroughly investigate every report to ensure our schools remain safe, supportive environments.”
“Recently, the district addressed a serious personnel matter involving an allegation that a student was harmed by a teacher in a classroom at J.H. Hines Elementary School,” the district added. “We maintain the highest expectations for employee conduct; at no time are employees allowed to correct a student’s behavior in a manner that causes distress or harm.”
The child told the principal that Mitchell’s behavior caused him “pain,” according to the affidavit seen by KWTX-TV.
Tennessee first-grade teacher arrested and charged with abusing own child
The student has “recovered and was not injured,” the school district said.
“We recognize the seriousness of this situation and remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting the students in our care,” the district added.
Mitchell was being held in the McLennan County Jail on Friday, February 20, with bail set at $3,000, KWTX-TV reported.
The district said school officials are cooperating with law enforcement regarding the alleged assault.
There was no immediate response from the Waco ISD Police Department. us February 24th.
Waco is approximately 95 miles southwest of Dallas.
If you or someone you know has experienced child abuse, please call or text the Children’s Helpline: 1-800-422-4453.