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Ex-Local Teacher Pleads Guilty To Injury To A Child Charge

Arethia Gale Wade (Jail photo)

Arethia Gale Wade (Jail photo)

BELTON (June 21, 2012)--Arethia Gale Wade, 50, a former teacher at Cavazos Elementary School in Nolanville, pleaded guilty Thursday to an injury to a child charge in an incident involving a 9-year-old student on Feb. 27.

She was sentenced to three years deferred adjudication probation, which means that the conviction will be erased from her record if she successfully completes the term of probation.

Wade was arrested in April and was freed after posting a $100,000 bond.

According to the affidavit submitted for the arrest warrant, video from a classroom camera showed Wade lunge at the boy, drag him on the floor, yank him around "multiple times" and then restrain him by placing her arms around his chest.

Later, in an advocacy center interview, the boy said Wade grabbed, threw and kicked him and said his stomach hurt afterward, the affidavit said.

Wade was an elementary school teacher in Nolanville until March 1.

The school district wouldn't say whether Wade resigned or was fired and wouldn't provide any details about what grade she taught or how long she was with the district, saying it's policy not to comment on personnel matters.


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