NEW MARKET, Ala. — Officials with the Madison County School System confirmed Saturday that a Buckhorn Middle School teacher is on administrative leave following her arrest on charges of "torture/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.
In a statement provided to FOX54 Saturday night, school officials said, "We can confirm that Ms. Howard, who is listed in the Buckhorn Middle School directory as a teacher, is currently on administrative leave while the school district conducts an investigation into allegations brought against her.
"MCSS will not be able to provide any further details at this time," they added.
The charge specifies the child in question was not a family member of Howard. 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.
