SC teacher cursed at 2nd graders and threatened to ‘shoot them’, deputies say
A substitute teacher in the Midlands faces a slew of charges. The teacher is accused of threatening to “shoot them” and “light them up,” cursing and making young students stand for an extended period, according to an incident report from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and arrest warrants.
Dejuan Antoinette Fludd, 71, was charged with 18 counts of unlawful conduct toward a child on Tuesday, after a group of students reported she had consistently used inappropriate language coupled with threats while substitute teaching for a second-grade class at St. Matthews K-8 School in Calhoun County, according to an incident report and arrest warrants.
Deputy Chase Donaldson of the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office wrote that he was called to the school on April 22 after the school’s principal contacted law enforcement about a complaint from a second-grade student. The student told the deputy the substitute made students stand until they were dismissed and told them to “sit your goddamn axx down,” the report says.
After interviewing multiple other students, Donaldson said he and school administrators learned that Fludd also told students she would “shoot them,” while others said she talked about lining students up and shooting them or “lighting” them up, the report and arrest warrants state.
St. Matthews K-8 was formed in 2009-2010 by joining the former Guinyard Elemenaty School and John Ford Middle School, according to information on the school’s website.
Fludd acknowledged making the statements and engaging in the behavior but claimed she was “playing,” according to the report. The deputy said she was told the conduct was unacceptable, and she was removed from campus while the school district’s human resources office was notified.
“We understand that situations like this may cause concern,” said a Calhoun School District spokesperson in a statement. “Please know that we are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment and will continue to follow all necessary protocols to protect our students and employees.”
