Two Educators Arrested Following Child Abuse Investigation at Claxton Elementary School
Claxton, GA — The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested Tanesha E. Herrington, 47, of Claxton, and Courtney Anne Dutton, 37, of Glennville, following a child abuse investigation at Claxton Elementary School.
Herrington, a Pre-K teacher, has been charged with eight counts of Cruelty to Children in the First Degree, while Dutton, her paraprofessional, has been charged with one count of Failure to Report Child Abuse.
The investigation began on Monday, October 13, 2025, when the Claxton Police Department requested GBI assistance after receiving an anonymous tip alleging that Herrington had been physically abusing students in her classroom.
Agents reviewed video footage from a classroom security camera that showed multiple disturbing incidents. According to investigators, Herrington was seen:
- Hitting two students repeatedly in the face,
- Grabbing a child by the throat,
- Forcefully lifting sleeping students by the arms,
- Slapping and pushing a student, and
- Throwing a bookbag at a child sitting on the ground.
The videos document incidents from both the current and previous school years.
Investigators also determined that Dutton, who was present during several of the incidents, failed to report the abuse as required by law.
Due to the large volume of footage still under review, authorities say additional victims may be identified, and further charges could follow.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. If anyone has any information, please contact the Claxton Police Department at 912-739-2121 or the GBI’s Regional Investigative Office in Statesboro at 912-871-1121. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.
