Two charged in Bledsoe County allegedly threw object at student

The two paraprofessionals charged last week with child abuse at a school in Pikeville, Tennessee, can be seen on surveillance video throwing an object at a student in a special needs class at Pikeville Elementary School, according to affidavits filed in Bledsoe County General Sessions Court.

Authorities arrested Chloe L. Frizzell, 25, of Dunlap, and Shelia K. Schmidt, 63, of Pikeville, on child abuse charges last week and released each on a $7,500 bond, Bledsoe County Sheriff Jimmy Morris said Monday. Frizzell was initially said to be from Pikeville.

Detective Drake Brown was the officer who answered a call to the school Feb. 15 regarding an incident that took place in a classroom, according to the affidavits. Brown was able to review video footage of the incident when he arrived.

The footage showed “Schmidt picking up an object and throwing it at a juvenile inside the classroom,” the narrative in Brown’s affidavit states. “Ms. Schmidt then grabbed the student by the hair of the head and began to drag her back approximately 8-10 feet and set her in a chair.”

In the video, Frizzell is shown “picking up an object and throwing it at, and the object connecting with, a juvenile student inside the classroom,” Brown states in the affidavit. “Ms. Frizzell then also shoved the student down to the ground.”

Court officials said Wednesday that neither Frizzell nor Schmidt had attorneys on record. A phone number listed for Schmidt had been disconnected. The charge against Frizzell and Schmidt is a class A misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 11 months, 29 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500, according to state law. If an alleged victim is 8 years old or younger, the charge can be upgraded to a class D felony, punishable by two to 12 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Bledsoe County Director of Schools Selina Sparkman posted a statement on the Feb. 15 incident Monday night on Pikeville Elementary School’s social media page.

“As you may be aware, an incident occurred on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at Pikeville Elementary School,” the post states. “Principal Lee Ann Morris discovered this situation and immediately reported it to the Department of Children’s Services and the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department. After an investigation conducted by the district, the decision was made to terminate six employees. No other information can be shared at this time due to the fact that there is an ongoing legal investigation that is being conducted by the Bledsoe County Sheriff’s Department. This is in no way indicative of the care that is demonstrated for our students on a daily basis. A plan has been prepared to ensure our students are safe and secure when they return to school tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming them back.”

According to court officials, Frizzell and Schmidt are due in General Sessions Court on March 6 for a hearing on the charges. On Monday, Bledsoe County Schools attorney Howard Upchurch, who is also the Bledsoe County General Sessions judge, said someone else would hear the case because of those professional relationships.