A joint press release from the Port Huron Area School District and the St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is providing some details surrounding the case of a teacher who had plead guilty to two counts of assault and battery in connection to an assault on students. Investigators say the incidents took place when Shirley Thoen was teaching in the Early Childhood program at Thomas Edison Elementary School in Fort Gratiot Township. The abuse was first reported by two paraprofessionals in the class. After warrants were issued for audio and video recording use in the classroom, a detective determined that there was indeed evidence of abuse of a student. The school district immediately removed the teacher from her job and placed her on administrative leave on learning of the finding. She then resigned and was formally charged with assault by the Saint Clair County Prosecutor’s Office. The guilty plea was entered in 72nd District Court. School District and Sheriff officials conducted a meeting with families this week to provide accurate information in the case. Investigations have revealed no other Thomas Edison students were impacted by the abuse
