Two SC teachers arrested and accused of cruelty to special education students

Two teachers in different schools in Spartanburg District 7 have been arrested and accused of harming two special education students.

The Special Victims Unit of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that Mary Simmons Dobbing, 44, of Woodruff, allegedly hit a 17-year-old twice in the head at McCarthy-Teszler School on Feb. 17. She was arrested Saturday.

Dobbing has been a special education teacher in Spartanburg County since 2019, according to state Education Department records.

McCarthy-Teszler School is specifically for special needs students with a population of about 230.

The sheriff’s office said several other staff members saw the incident and one recorded it with a phone.

Dobbing was charged with two counts of cruelty to children and released on $785 cash bond.

The other arrest stems from a teacher’s aide being accused of dragging a 4-year-old down a hallway by their wrist at EP Todd Elementary on March 7. She was in her first year as a teacher assistant.

The sheriff’s office said numerous staff members gave detailed statements to an investigator.

Elizabeth Mae Wypych, 23, of Spartanburg, was arrested Monday. She posted a personal recognizance bond of $787.

Beth Lancaster, a spokesperson for Spartanburg District 7, said the educators are no longer employed with the district.

This story was originally published March 19, 2025 at 5:30 AM.