Wake County elementary school staffer charged with abusing student
A Wake County Public School System staff member was arrested Tuesday after allegedly abusing a student.
Betsy Rene Mattocks, 56, of Clayton, is charged with misdemeanor child abuse, according to a release from the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged assault was reported May 19, the release said.
Mattocks is listed as an instructional assistant at Smith Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh, according to the school’s website. A Wake County Public School System spokesperson told The News & Observer she worked as a building substitute.
Mattocks is accused of assaulting one of her 12-year-old students by grabbing his neck and shoving him down, her arrest warrant states. She was released from the Wake County jail Tuesday after posting $1,000 bail, court records show.
Mattocks is suspended with pay while the district investigates, according to a letter sent to families. She was first hired as a substitute March 30, 2023, and began working at Smith Magnet Elementary School as a building substitute Aug. 1, 2024, the spokesperson said.
Under the terms of her release, Mattocks may not contact the victim or anyone under the age of 18 without approval from the court.
The investigation remained open as of Tuesday morning, officials said.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information is released.
