RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A former Wake County Public Schools teacher was arrested Friday morning and charged with multiple counts of assault on a person with a disability.
According to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received a report from WCPSS regarding a reported assault of a student by a special needs teacher that occurred in 2022 at East Wake High School.
After a thorough investigation, investigators charged James Rencher III with 12 counts of assault on a person with a disability.
James Rencher III, Raleigh Police Department
Police said Rencher turned himself in on Friday and was booked into the Wake County Detention Center.
Investigators said Rencher assaulted two students, with an arrest warrant detailing multiple allegations that he shoved them, grabbed them by their shirts and kicked and grabbed a yoga ball the students were sitting on, causing them to fall.
Rencher is also accused of grabbing another student by the ankle and forcing him down a flight of stairs.
In a statement to CBS 17, the Wake County Public School System said it is aware of the allegations against Rencher and is cooperating with the Sheriff’s Office investigation.
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The school said it could not comment specifically on Rencher’s case or the police report because it is confidential. The statement added that the school is considering the allegations during its investigation and expects any allegations of abuse to be reported to police.
“Creating and maintaining a safe environment for students is our top priority and we recognize these efforts are essential to building trusting relationships with student families. The school system is continually reviewing its practices to consider how it can improve processes and training to support this priority,” the statement said.
The sheriff’s office said this remains an ongoing investigation.