A middle school special and gifted education teacher’s assistant has been charged with two counts of assault and battery after allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old girl and 12-year-old boy, according to Prince William County police.
Shirley Whitfield, 69, of the 13900 block of Hedgewood Drive in Woodbridge, Va., is accused of assaulting the students at Beville Middle School in Woodbridge last Thursday.
Staff at the school reported the incident to Child Protective Services, and a police investigation followed.
The alleged abuse took place in a classroom during the school day, said Officer Jonathan Perok, a department spokesperson. The female and male student suffered minor injuries.
Whitfield has been placed on paid administrative leave.