Walter Hill Elementary student dragged through school, investigators say

The suspended Walter Hill Elementary principal and teacher charged with child abuse are accused of dragging a student through the hallway during an incident at the school, according to arrest warrants.

Principal Helen Campbell and teacher Bonnie Marlar were charged with criminal child abuse and endangerment Saturday, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.

According to warrants filed with Rutherford County General Sessions Court, Campbell admitted to helping Marlar, a special education teacher, drag a 10-year-old child by his feet through the school. As a result, the child sustained injuries to his head.

Video footage was provided by to substantiate the misdemeanor charges, the warrant said.

Assistant principal Laura Heath was named interim principal of the school on Monday, Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans said.

Campbell has been with the district since August 2001 and was named principal of the school ahead of the 2013-14 school year. Marlar has been with the school system since August 2014, Evans said.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com and follow her on Twitter @NanDeGennaro.