Charter school staff face charges after alleged assault of 5-year-old child with disability

The Durham Police Department’s Special Victims Unit has arrested and charged three individuals in connection with a child abuse incident at a charter school.

Around 6:32 p.m. on Aug. 21, officers responded to a report of child abuse at Research Triangle Charter Academy, located on the 2400 block of Ellis Road.

Based on investigation, a school employee, Jeremy Raekwon Whitley, 28, assaulted a 5-year-old student with a disability and caused serious physical injuries.

The school’s principal and another employee are also facing charges for allegedly covering up the abuse.

A school spokesperson expressed shock over the allegations and says that the school is cooperating with police.

According to the indictment, Jeremy Whitley, while serving as a teacher, assaulted the boy, causing serious physical injuries, including multiple bruises on the chest, back, shoulders, and right arm, as well as emotional distress.

Court documents allege Whitley grabbed the child by the back of his shirt, lifted him into the air, and threw him to the ground.

His LinkedIn profile indicates he was a teacher at Research Triangle Charter Academy.

Whitley was indicted on Nov. 4, with charges of felony child abuse inflicting serious physical injury, aggravated assault on an individual with a disability, misdemeanor child abuse, and assault on a child under 12.

He turned himself in on Nov. 7.

Whitley was booked in the Durham County Jail and released on a $50,000 secured bond.

Two other school employees, Melanie Stack, 47 and Nicole Scotto, 35 are also facing charges.

The indictments claim that, in the days following the incident, both women made false statements to Durham Police during the investigation.

They are accused of failing to report the abuse despite knowing the child was a victim.

Both employees of the school, have been indicted on charges of felony common law obstruction of justice and failure to report child abuse. Scotto and Stack were released on unsecured bonds.

Melanie Stack, listed as the executive principal on the school’s website, has resigned, while Nicole Scotto, the Dean of Special Education, has been placed on administrative leave. Jeremy Whitley is no longer employed at the school.

The school spokesperson added that privacy laws and the ongoing investigation restrict the information that can be shared, including communication details with parents.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call Investigator C. Park of the Durham Police Department's Special Victims Unit at 919-560-4440 ext. 29321.