Former Teacher Pleads Not Guilty to Battery

Nelson

Nelson

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

— A former Benton County School of Arts teacher pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a felony charge in connection with an allegation that she hit a student.

Pamela Herriman Nelson, 57, of Springdale, is charged with battery in the second degree, a Class D felony punishable with up to six years in prison. She entered the plea during her arraignment before Circuit Judge Jon Comstock. Nelson was arrested Oct. 2.

Rogers police responded to an Oct. 1 call in reference to a 12-year-old being struck by a teacher at the school, according to court documents.

An officer met the boy’s mother at the school. She told the officer her son said his teacher hit him, according to the affidavit of probable cause.

According to the mother, her son said students were in keyboarding class with Nelson when she and school Principal Julia Rice warned the class to quiet down, the affidavit states. Rice later left the classroom. The boy said he was telling one of his friends to be quiet when Nelson, who was behind him, struck him on the upper left side of his back.

The mother said she talked to Rice, who told her son had a raised, red hand print on his back and she had taken the boy to see the school nurse, according to the affidavit.

An omnibus hearing is slated for 9 a.m. Dec. 13.

Nelson was released from the Benton County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

Nelson was a middle school choir instructor. The board approved Nelson’s employment in July, and she was terminated Oct. 2.