A now-retired Fairfax County Public Schools teacher is facing criminal charges for allegedly assaulting a student and a colleague.
Detectives began investigating Mary Simons, 63, of Arlington after Child Protective Services received a tip on March 28 alleging that she had assaulted a student while teaching at Parklawn Elementary School in Lincolnia, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
The investigation found that Simons had assaulted a student as well as another teacher in a separate incident, police said.
“Yesterday, Simons turned herself in and was served two summons releasable warrants for Simple Assault,” the FCPD said today (Tuesday) in a news release.
Upon learning about the initial assault allegation, Fairfax County Public Schools placed Simons on administrative leave, police said. She then retired during the investigation after working as a teacher for FCPS since 2009.
Simons is scheduled to appear in Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court for an arraignment on May 14 and an adjudicatory hearing on June 12, according to online court records.
Simple assault is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor by Virginia, carrying a potential sentence of up to 1 year in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.
A number of FCPS employees have faced criminal charges in recent months.
A White Oaks Elementary School teacher is appealing a March 31 ruling that found her guilty of assaulting two students at the Burke school. In addition, teachers from Falls Church High School and Fairview Elementary School were arrested in February for alleged child exploitation and sexual assault, respectively.
