Midlands teacher arrested after allegedly assaulting a student. Here’s what we know
A teacher at White Knoll High School in Lexington County has been arrested after allegedly assaulting a student at school.
Fritzie Suerto Refamonte, 45, was charged with third-degree assault and battery, per a release from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. She was arrested at her home Wednesday morning and was being held at the Lexington County Detention Center as of Wednesday afternoon, deputies said.
“When we became aware of this incident, we opened an investigation and determined Refamonte allegedly assaulted the student Jan. 14,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon said in a statement. “She’s accused of taking the hands of a nonverbal student and using them to strike the student’s own face.”
The sheriff’s office alleges the teacher said she told the student to “hit yourself, not the teacher” in an effort to let the student know what the student did was not good.
The sheriff’s department reportedly spoke with several witnesses as part of the investigation.
White Knoll High School is in Lexington School District 1, and is in the Red Bank area of Lexington County.
“The incident was observed by multiple employees, who reported it to school administrators. In alignment with our district’s procedures and board policies, school administrators took appropriate action,” the school said in a message sent out to families, which the district provided to The State. “The student’s parent was notified, law enforcement was contacted, and the employee was placed on administrative leave while the matter was investigated. White Knoll High School continues to fully cooperate with law enforcement as the investigation continues.”
The school emphasized that this was an isolated incident.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful and supportive learning environment for everyone at White Knoll High School,” the message said.
This is a developing story.
This story was originally published January 29, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
