Two staff members from Claxton Elementary School in Georgia have been arrested following a disturbing child abuse investigation, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
In a press release, the GBI confirmed the arrests of 47-year-old Tanesha E. Herrington of Claxton and 37-year-old Courtney Anne Dutton of Glennville. Herrington, a Pre-K teacher, faces eight counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, while Dutton, her classroom paraprofessional, is charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse.
The investigation began after the Claxton Police Department received an anonymous tip on October 13, 2025, alleging that Herrington had been abusing children in her classroom. The GBI joined the investigation and later obtained security footage from inside the classroom that confirmed the allegations.
According to the GBI, the videos showed Herrington “hitting two students repeatedly in the face, grabbing a student by the throat, forcefully lifting students by the arms while they were lying on the floor asleep, slapping a student on the arm and then pushing the student, and throwing a bookbag at a student seated on the ground.”
The disturbing incidents reportedly span both the current and previous school years. Dutton, seen in several of the recordings, allegedly witnessed the abuse but failed to report it, as required by law. Parent Leona Berry, whose twin children attend Claxton Elementary, told reporters that both of her kids were seen being abused in the videos.
“I just feel hurt because I’m sending my kids to school thinking that they are going to be protected, thinking that they’re getting loved and treated and cared for,” Berry said. Berry added that GBI investigators informed her that her children were not the only victims identified on the footage.
“Looking back, it makes sense now,” she said, recalling a past conversation with Herrington about a previous complaint from another parent. Following the allegations, the Evans County School System immediately placed both Herrington and Dutton on administrative leave. Interim Superintendent Bradley Anderson released a statement emphasizing the district’s cooperation with law enforcement.
“The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities,” he said. “We are taking this matter very seriously and will continue to follow all laws, policies, and procedures as the investigation proceeds.” The GBI is continuing to review additional video footage and warns that more victims may be identified. Once the investigation concludes, the case will be turned over to the Atlantic Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.