A kindergarten teacher at Hendricks Elementary School in Anna ISD was arrested last week and charged with a felony after a classroom incident left a 5-year-old child injured, according to authorities.
Mikaela Beth Priest, a former Hendricks Elementary teacher, was booked into the Collin County Jail on Saturday and charged with injury to a child, a third-degree felony. The child’s mother, Danielle Broomfield, said Priest allegedly grabbed her daughter’s arm hard enough to leave visible marks.
Broomfield told Fox 4 News that she broke down when she learned what had happened, recalling, “My heart broke. Especially when they’re saying that she told them the teacher did it.” She said the marks looked like finger imprints and took about five days to heal.
The confrontation reportedly happened during a class activity when Broomfield’s daughter tried to take back a paper another child had grabbed.
Priest allegedly intervened, grabbing the girl’s arm and directing her to a timeout chair. During recess, another teacher saw the marks and alerted administrators, which triggered an internal review of Priest’s classroom.
Anna ISD quickly removed Priest from her duties and placed her on administrative leave pending investigation. By October 10, the district confirmed she was no longer employed there, according to local reports.
“The school is supposed to be a safe place, the teachers aren’t supposed to be the bullies. So it breaks my heart that you know somebody could do something like that…I hope that there’s no lasting trauma for my daughter,” Broomfield added.
A LinkedIn profile that appears to belong to Priest — since removed or set to private — indicated she previously taught at Princeton ISD under her maiden name, Malatin, and earned an intern-level teaching certification in March.
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office told Fox News that Priest has no record of prior violent offenses. She has since posted bond, and the investigation remains active.
The Texas Education Agency did not immediately respond to The Dallas Express’ request for comment on whether Priest’s certification is under review.