Connecticut Preschool Teacher Charged with Child Endangerment

Stacy Vaughn-Marcella, a 61-year-old preschool teacher at the University of Hartford Magnet School in Connecticut, has been charged with one felony count of risk of injury to a child following an incident on December 1, 2025. The charge stems from allegations that she dragged a young student by his feet across the classroom and left him unattended in a hallway for several minutes. The incident was reported after a woman picking up the child learned about it at dismissal and later viewed surveillance footage that confirmed the allegations.

Preschool Teacher Accused of Dragging Student by Feet, Leaving Him Alone in HallwayUS WeeklyLaw & Crime

According to a probable cause affidavit, the incident occurred shortly before nap time when the 3- or 4-year-old boy became upset after being unable to join a play station and began throwing items in the classroom. Witnesses reported that Vaughn-Marcella helped the boy down from a bookshelf but then escalated the situation by dragging him approximately 10 to 12 feet out of the classroom. The boy remained in the hallway for about five to ten minutes, during which he was found "crying in a corner" by another staff member. Surveillance video captured part of the incident, although the view was partially obstructed.

Law & CrimeUS WeeklyPreschool Teacher Accused of Dragging Student by Feet, Leaving Him Alone in Hallway

Following the incident, the boy was taken to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for evaluation due to changes in his behavior, but no injuries were found. Witnesses noted that he had been throwing a wooden object at the classroom door while left alone in the hallway.

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Vaughn-Marcella has denied intentionally dragging the child, claiming that he was acting with "rage and anger" and that she only grabbed one of his legs to stop him from kicking. She stated that she believed leaving him in the hallway was necessary to prevent him from hurting other children and claimed to have monitored him through a glass door.

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Vaughn-Marcella was arrested on January 22, 2026, and released on a $5,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 29, 2026. Following the incident, she was placed on administrative leave, and school officials confirmed that she would not return to any CREC school. However, parents expressed concern over the delay in communication, as they were not notified of the incident until late March 2026, when an email was sent stating that a staff member had been arrested without specifying the individual or the nature of the allegations.

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Superintendent Sasha Douglas stated, "CREC Magnet Schools placed the individual on administrative leave in December, immediately after an allegation was made," emphasizing that the school took immediate steps to secure qualified staffing and ensure continuity in student instruction.

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The court proceedings for Vaughn-Marcella are set to continue on April 29, 2026, where a judge will decide on her release on bond and further legal actions regarding the case. The incident has raised broader concerns about teacher conduct and student safety protocols within the school environment.

Preschool Teacher Accused of Dragging Student by Feet, Leaving Him Alone in Hallway