Former Etowah County School Employee Charged with Child Abuse

Photo From the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area News

ETOWAH COUNTY, Ala. – A former Etowah County school employee has been arrested and charged with child abuse and torture following an incident involving a six-year-old student at West End Elementary School earlier this month.

According to court documents, Faith Ann Colegrove, previously employed as a special education paraprofessional, allegedly shoved the child with both hands on September 8, causing the student to fall and strike their head on the gym floor.

Colegrove was taken into custody more than a week ago. She was charged in connection with the incident, with bond set at $5,000. Jail records indicate that she has since been released under the condition that she have no unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18.

Etowah County Schools Superintendent Dr. Alan Cosby confirmed that Colegrove resigned from her position on September 11.

“The Etowah County Schools accepted the resignation of Faith Colegrove on September 11,” Dr. Cosby said. “We are fully cooperating with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office regarding this matter. The safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority.”

The Etowah County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the incident. Authorities have not released further details, citing the sensitive nature of the case and the involvement of a minor.