LANCASTER COUNTY, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A teacher at a Lancaster County elementary school has been charged with assaulting a student during gym class, the sheriff’s office said.
The incident reportedly happened on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at Buford Elementary School. Michael Wayne Edwards, 63, of Charlotte, has been charged with third-degree assault and battery, and cruelty to a child in connection with the incident.
The altercation allegedly occurred when Edwards, a gym teacher, responded to a 10-year-old student who was not following the rules of an activity. According to LCSO reports, Edwards forcefully pulled the boy out of the game and shoved him against the gym wall.
Several students in the class witnessed the incident and informed a teacher, prompting the school resource officer to launch an investigation, the sheriff’s office said.
“It is unfortunate this incident occurred,” Sheriff Barry Faile said in a released statement. “Parents expect those who teach and supervise our children in the school setting to nurture and protect them, not commit assaults against them. It’s encouraging to know these young student witnesses know the ‘see something, say something’ rule and reported this incident.”
Following the reports, the school resource officer, a deputy of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, conducted interviews with multiple students and a teacher who were present in the gym.
The sheriff’s office forwarded their findings to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office for prosecution, due to a conflict of interest involving the local solicitor’s office.
On the morning of March 21, Edwards turned himself in to authorities and was booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center. He was released on two personal recognizance bonds, set at $1,000 each. Edwards’ charges are classified as misdemeanors and carry penalties that include fines and potential jail time. Third-degree assault and battery can result in a fine of $500 or 30 days in jail, while cruelty to a child carries a penalty of a $200 fine or 30 days in jail.
The Lancaster County School District has placed Edwards on administrative leave.
“Our district continues to collaborate and cooperate with local law enforcement. Lancaster County School District has built a reputation for excellence, and we will continue to focus on our students’ success and ensuring the safety of all students,” Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick, District Superintendent said in a released statement on Friday.
