A North Cottonwood Elementary School teacher has been charged with multiple felony offenses after a probe by the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office regarding allegations of physical mistreatment of many children under her supervision.
Jandee Marie Smart, age 43, of Cottonwood, was arrested and placed in the custody of Shasta County Jail after authorities secured a felony arrest warrant against her on April 2. Her bail amount is fixed at $50,000.
The first tip-off regarding Smart dated back to February and claimed that the individual had mistreated many children during the time she worked there. Given the severity of the allegations, the matter was referred to the Major Crimes Unit for further follow-up.
Before issuing the warrant, investigators carried out interviews with multiple witnesses and the victims.
The suspect has been charged with: assault with a deadly weapon; assault causing great bodily injury; four counts of child abuse; four counts of battery; one count of child abuse; and corporal punishment of a child.
Investigations are ongoing, and anyone with additional information regarding this case can contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.
