WALDORF, Md. – Superintendent of Schools Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., has released an update Nov. 18, about the investigation into an incident that took place Nov. 15, 2024, at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School.
Dear Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) community:
“I am aware of the heartache and anger the recent incident at C. Paul Barnhart Elementary School has caused our community and I appreciate the continued support, understanding and patience as Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and Barnhart administrators work to fully investigate the incident.
CCPS continues to support the families of the students involved. The students are not presently at school. We have been working privately with the families to provide academic and continuous social-emotional support and resources. We also provided additional support for students and staff today at Barnhart and will continue to do so as requested by the school.
As of today, we have gathered additional statements from staff and students and completed a thorough review of school camera footage. Based on our investigation so far, we have no reason to believe this was race-related or there was any intent for anyone to be hurt. However, disciplinary consequences following the CCPS Code of Student Conduct are being imposed due to the serious nature of this incident.
As we do each day, we will protect the identities of all children in our schools. Due to federal and state laws protecting student privacy, we cannot release any other details or disciplinary consequences implemented as they are part of a student’s protected record. It is important for the community to know that the Charles County Sheriff’s Office is conducting its own investigation.
This morning, Barnhart administrators reviewed with school staff protocols in place for student restroom use. This includes ensuring students are traveling to bathrooms in pairs and reminding staff of existing protocols related to hallway and bathroom monitoring.
As expected, the news of this incident has traveled far outside of our community. Please remember that the students involved in this investigation are children. Some of this attention has led to serious threats as well as disturbing rhetoric circulating online. Out of an abundance of caution, we will continue to have additional police resources at the school and supporting staff externally.
CCPS has mental health and counseling resources available for all students and their families. Parents, if you or your child need support please contact the counselor, pupil personnel worker or an administrator at your child’s school.
I am working with the school principal to schedule a meeting with the Barnhart community soon. Thank you for your support of the students and staff across all our schools but especially now, the Barnhart community. “
Sincerely,
Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools
How are you going to say there was no intent for anyone to be hurt if a child was hung by his neck. That is not pleasure. That is not playful. He was trying to kill the other child for gods sake! Hold the parents accountable for not getting their child some help. I’d press charges on everyone! Refusing to get your child mental help when you know they need it is neglect. Now another child was hurt because of yours.
Teachers are responsible for their students. Admin is responsible for the entire school.
I totally agree. I truly don’t understand why the school is not considering this a hate crime. What is our world coming to. I would consult with an attorney. Jehovah please blessed the young kid and heal him from his scars.
I feel the same way, I still smell something fowl with that, and it will be exposed sooner or later.
I agree Kee. The parents need to be held responsible as well as making sure this other child is punished but is also provided the help he needs. No child should ever touch another child. At what point is accountability going to be enforced. Every action has a consequence. There is a consequence for hurting someone else!
Are there cameras in bathroom????
How do you say you reviewed the cameras?Legally no cameras are supposed to be in the bathrooms. How much are you being paid for this cover up?
There aren’t any cameras in the bathroom. Try again superintendents it’s still sounding like a coverup to me. Do better Charles County.
“The students are not presently at school.”
The one student for sure wasn’t at school as he was in the hospital and then home. The other so-called “student” should never be allowed in a public school building again.
yes I agree hold the parents accountable and file a case against them for neglect as this is only way to get them to understand that mental health issues are real and help should be sought to solve the problem and not cover it up.