Michael Wayne Edwards, 63, of Charlotte, a teacher at Buford Elementary School, has been charged with Assault & Battery 3rd Degree and Cruelty to a Child in connection with a reported assault on a student at the school. On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the school resource officer learned that several students reported to a teacher that Edwards grabbed a 10-year-old male student in gym class, forcefully pulled him out of the activity in progress, and shoved him against the gym wall earlier that morning. This was apparently in response to the child not following the rules of the activity. The child was not seriously injured.
The school resource officer is a deputy of the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office. He and school administrators interviewed several dozen elementary students and another teacher who were present in the gym when the incident occurred. The case was assigned to the investigations division of the sheriff’s office. Investigators followed up and concluded their investigation before reviewing their findings with prosecutors in the Office of the South Carolina Attorney General, which will prosecute the case because of a conflict of interest of the Sixth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Warrants for the above charges were obtained from a magistrate judge, and Edwards turned himself in and was booked into the Lancaster County Detention Center early this morning. He appeared before a magistrate during regularly scheduled bond hearings and was released on two $1,000.00 personal recognizance bonds. Edwards’ photograph is attached.
Both offenses are misdemeanors within the jurisdiction of the magistrate court. Assault & Battery 3rd Degree is punishable by a fine of $500.00 or 30 days in jail or both, and Cruelty to a Child is punishable by a fine of $200.00 or 30 days in jail.
“It is unfortunate this incident occurred,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. “Parents expect those who teach and supervise our children in the school setting to nurture and protect them, not commit assaults against them. It’s encouraging to know these young student witnesses know the ‘see something, say something’ rule and reported this incident.”
Lancaster County School District has placed Michael Edwards on administrative leave. According to Dr. Raashad Fitzpatrick, District Superintendent, “Our district continues to collaborate and cooperate with local law enforcement. Lancaster County School District has built a reputation for excellence, and we will continue to focus on our students’success and ensuring the safety of all students.”
(All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.)
Anyone with information about this or any other case should call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 and select Option 4 or submit a tip in one of the following ways: use the link www.p3tips.com/983 or download the P3Tips mobile app available for both Apple and Android devices. Crime tips may be made anonymously.
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