Bristol County Teacher Sentenced to Probation After Slapping Two 5-Year-Old Students With Autism
ATTLEBORO MASSACHUSETTS, A former Bristol County teacher has been sentenced after being accused of assaulting two young children with autism.
According to police, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, shortly after 4:30 p.m., the Attleboro Police Department was contacted by a school administrator from Thacher Elementary School at 160 James St. in Attleboro regarding allegations that a staff member had assaulted multiple students.
The initial investigation determined that several staff members witnessed 57-year-old Susan Martin, a licensed special education classroom teacher, physically assault students on at least two occasions that day.
Authorities stated that one 5-year-old student was allegedly slapped in the face at approximately 11:55 a.m., and another 5-year-old student was reportedly pushed and slapped at approximately 1:00 p.m. Both children have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Police reported that both incidents were witnessed by multiple staff members and occurred inside a classroom.
Investigators learned that the first incident was reported to school administrators between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., approximately three hours before police were notified. The second incident came to light after administrators began speaking with additional staff members following the first report.
Authorities stated that Martin was placed on administrative leave and asked to leave the school several hours before the matter was reported to law enforcement.
Attleboro Police Detectives later obtained an arrest warrant through Attleboro District Court charging Martin with two counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability.
Investigators were initially unable to execute the warrant because Martin had left the state on a pre-planned vacation to Florida.
On Monday, December 9, 2024, detectives located Martin at her residence in Kingston, Massachusetts, where she was taken into custody without incident. She was transported to the Attleboro Police Department for booking and later appeared in Attleboro District Court for arraignment.
According to The Sun Chronicle, Martin admitted to sufficient facts in District Court in February 2026. The case was continued without a finding, and she was placed on two years of probation. As part of the probation terms, Martin is required to complete an anger management program. If she successfully completes the program without violations, probation may be terminated six months early.
Under the court’s conditions, Martin is prohibited from having unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16, except in connection with her current employment at a movie theater.
