NEW MARKET, Ala. — The Madison County Sheriff's Office released more details Sunday concerning the arrest of a Buckhorn Middle School teacher on charges of torture and willful abuse of a child.
Madison County Jail records show Karen Howard was booked just before 11 a.m. Saturday and released by 12:30 p.m. on $5,000 bond. The sheriff's office said Sunday that the arrest stems from a Nov. 19 complaint filed by school administrators about an alleged incident between Howard, a special needs teacher, and a special needs student.
The complaint alleges that Howard assaulted the student. Officials say the Madison County School System supplied statements and video surveillance to the sheriff's office while conducting their own investigation into the matter.
"The school took swift action, suspending the teacher, pending further investigation by MCSS and any potential legal proceedings," the sheriff's office said in a social media statement Sunday.
FOX54 has pulled state records which show Howard is qualified to work with special education students and has training focused on work with emotionally-troubled children. Her license to teach is in good standing.
Online records show Howard has previously taught in the Huntsville City Schools system, and was named a Helping Hands Hero by students at a Liberty Learning Foundation event in 2018.