Greenville, SC: Former Substitute Teacher Charged in Student Assault Case

Greenville, SC: Former Substitute Teacher Charged in Student Assault Case

In Greenville, South Carolina, a former substitute teacher has been charged for allegedly causing physical harm to a 14-year-old student. Kevin Leroy Ester, who previously worked at Rudolph Gordon School, is facing a charge of assault and battery in the third degree. This charge was brought by the Fountain Inn Police Department on September 16, according to court records.

The school’s principal, Meredith Welch, informed parents about the incident in a message, stating that Ester was charged due to an “unnecessary physical interaction” with a student. The concern arose when two teachers reported Ester’s behavior after witnessing an incident on September 11, where he reportedly “grabbed and pulled” on the student’s arms, leaving visible red marks.

Further details from the incident report reveal that the situation escalated when the student was reluctant to return to his seat. According to reports, Ester slapped the student on the back and twisted his wrist to force compliance while making statements about motivation. Ester, who worked as a long-term substitute, denied using excessive force during these encounters.

The teachers who reported the incidents noted that while Ester usually remained calm and does not display anger, they found his methods concerning. Review of surveillance footage from August 27 showed Ester applying pressure to the student’s wrist while attempting to guide him up the stairs. Despite this, Ester maintained that he did not intend to harm the student.

The arrest warrant specifically mentions that Ester caused “clear and obvious pain” to the student. A spokesperson for the Greenville County School District confirmed that Ester was no longer employed by the district at the time of his arrest.

The situation has sparked conversations about how physical interactions should be handled in school environments and raised questions about the responsibilities of educators to maintain a safe learning atmosphere.