SC principal was told student’s family contacted police about sexual assault, school says
A South Carolina charter school principal accused of failing to report sex crimes committed by a member of her staff was told by a victim’s family that police had been contacted, according to a news release.
Tina Shaw, 41, the principal of Green Charter School of the Midlands, said she met with the family of a student on Jan. 30 in connection with allegations that a teacher at the school — Sulaymaan Benoit, 33 — had engaged in criminal sexual conduct with the student, according to a news release by Green Charter Schools. Both Benoit and Shaw were arrested Wednesday by the Irmo Police Department.
“Principal Shaw suspended Benoit that day (Jan. 30) and subsequently terminated him,” the release said. “She confirmed with the family on January 31 that they had reported their concerns to the Irmo Police Department,” the release continued.
Shaw is accused of not reporting the incident to authorities herself, police said.
She was charged with failure to report child abuse and two counts of assault and battery, according to police. The assault charges stem from two “improper searches” on two students, police said.
Shaw posted a $50,000 surety bond Wednesday.
Benoit, the after school director and substitute teacher, was charged with eight counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to a news release from the Irmo Police Department. He’s accused of fondling three students, who are between 7-12 years old, police said.
A bond, not yet posted, for $75,000 was set for Benoit, who was placed on administrative leave from the school on Feb. 6, according to his public defender, Hope Demer, during his bond hearing.
But during a news conference on Wednesday, Irmo Police Chief Bobby Dale said Benoit was placed on leave in January.
“When the Irmo Police contacted the school on February 6, 2025, (the school) provided full access to the available information including video footage,” the school’s news release said. “Principal Shaw will remain on administrative leave through the resolution of this matter.”
“The (school) board of directors will be commissioning a third-party investigation to review all aspects of the matter, and to provide any recommended improvements,” the release said. “We have met with staff at the school to address their concerns and our counseling staff and school psychologist are providing additional support to students and staff.”
