News Summary
Brenda Inabinette, a former teacher, has filed a federal lawsuit against Lexington School District One and the Sheriff’s Department, claiming malicious prosecution after being acquitted of assault charges. Her legal troubles stemmed from allegations of confronting a student, resulting in her arrest and significant repercussions for her career. Despite being acquitted, Inabinette only partially returned to teaching, raising concerns about the investigation processes in schools and the impact on educators.
Lexington, South Carolina – Brenda Inabinette, a former teacher at White Knoll Middle School, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Lexington School District One and the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department after being acquitted of third-degree assault and battery charges. The lawsuit was submitted in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina and alleges that false pretenses and malicious prosecution led to her arrest in August 2022.
Inabinette’s legal troubles began when she was accused of physically confronting a student by grabbing their ID lanyard and allegedly making a threatening comment. The incident triggered an investigation leading to the charges against her, which she denied throughout. Following a trial in August 2023, a jury found her not guilty after only 20 minutes of deliberation.
After her arrest, Inabinette faced significant repercussions. She was placed on administrative leave from her teaching position and was asked to resign, which she chose not to do. Throughout the legal process, her attorney noted that the arrest and subsequent media coverage had caused lasting damage to her reputation.
Despite her acquittal, Inabinette was only partially reinstated. Although she was allowed to return to teaching, she was reassigned to a different school than where the incident occurred. Inabinette has over 30 years of experience within the South Carolina public school system, having dedicated her career to educating students.
The lawsuit aims to address the alleged wrongful actions taken by both the school district and law enforcement officials during her arrest and prosecution. Inabinette claims that the administrators and a school resource officer acted hastily on the accusations without thoroughly investigating the situation, which contributed to the adverse outcomes she suffered.
Through her legal action, Inabinette seeks to highlight the impact of the accusations on her professional life and personal wellbeing. She asserts that her core values center around the protection and security of her students, which she feels were overlooked during the investigation into her actions. The case underscores the serious implications that can arise for educators when allegations are made, regardless of their veracity.
Inabinette’s lawsuit brings attention to broader issues of civil rights and the treatment of educators within the school system, especially in cases involving student interactions. Her case raises questions about the protocols followed by schools when addressing accusations against staff members and the need for proper investigations before disciplinary actions are taken.
The outcome of this lawsuit may have significant implications not only for Inabinette but also for the policies and practices within Lexington School District One and potentially beyond. As this case proceeds, it remains to be seen how it could influence future handling of similar allegations against teachers and the safeguarding of their rights in the educational environment.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News 4: Acquitted Teacher Files Lawsuit
- WIS TV: Lexington School Board Considers Removing Hunger Games
- The State: Lexington School District Education News
- SWLEX Ledger: Free Summer Meals for Students
- Post and Courier: Lexington School District Elections
- Wikipedia: Civil Rights – Education
- Google Search: Educators Civil Rights
- Google Scholar: Teacher Legal Rights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Google News: Lexington One Schools
