School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse

Three employees at a Delaware elementary school have been arrested and are accused of abusing children in a special needs classroom following a police investigation.

The Smyrna Police Department said in a statement last week that Makayla Lomax, 31, and Marissa Johnson, 26, both of Smyrna, and Morgan Donahue, 21, of Clayton have all been charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Lomax has also been charged with third-degree child abuse and offensive touching.

Police began investigating allegations of abuse at Smyrna Elementary School in February, 2024, according to the school district.

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'Hot sauce and hot takis': Multiple allegations of abuse

According to police, the investigation revealed employees in the special needs classroom would, "allegedly throw objects at the students, yell at them, and call them names."

The investigation also alleged that Lomax struck one student in the face and also sprayed the student with a water bottle "as a form of discipline."

A separate incident from an unspecified date in the Fall of 2022 was also detailed in the police report, alleging that Johnson and Donahue had fed "hot sauce and hot Takis to a special needs student who had a known digestive disorder."

The Delaware News Journal reported last week that But a Smyrna District employee salary website revealed:

• Donahue was listed as a substitute elementary teacher in 2023.
• Lomax has been an instructional paraeducator and substitute teacher from 2022 to this year.
• Johnson had different positions from 2020 until recently, including elementary specialist, substitute elementary teacher, and instructional paraeducator.

Johnson was ultimately charged with 10 counts of endangering the welfare of a child, Lomax with nine counts of endangering the welfare of a child as well as one count each of third-degree child abuse and offensive touching, and Donahue with one count of endangering the welfare of a child, according to police.

Both Lomax and Johnson have preliminary court hearings scheduled for Nov. 15, while Donahue's arraignment is currently scheduled for Dec. 19.

It was unclear whether any of the three suspects had entered pleas as of Nov. 11 or retained lawyers.

"The relevant employees have not been in the presence of our students since the district was made aware of the alleged wrongdoing," the Smyrna School District said in an official statement on Nov. 6. "Most individuals alleged to be involved no longer work for the District. With regard to the remaining employees, the District will honor employee privacy rights with regard to separation of employment, and we will make our reports to the Department of Education’s Division of Licensure and Certification."

Max Hauptman is a Trending Reporter for USA TODAY. He can be reached at MHauptman@gannett.com