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Coverage dated October 1, 2026 to October 2, 2026

Parents, police say teacher struck autistic 5-year-old

Headline from WREG Memphis

RIPLEY, Tenn. — An assistant teacher at Ripley Primary School in Ripley, Tennessee, is charged with abusing a 5-year-old special needs student. The incident reportedly happened Thursday and led to the arrest of Debbie Mays, who was charged with child abuse.

WREG Memphis's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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2 articles, oldest first.

  1. WREG Memphis

    Ripley, TN assistant teacher charged with abuse to 5-year-old (opens WREG Memphis)

    Published

    WREG Memphis's feed description

    MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- A Ripley, Tennessee, primary assistant teacher is accused of abusing a five-year-old special needs student on Thursday, the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office said. Debbie Mays has been charged with Child Abuse in violation of TCA 39-15-401.

  2. WREG Memphis

    Parents, police say teacher struck autistic 5-year-old (opens WREG Memphis)

    Published

    WREG Memphis's feed description

    RIPLEY, Tenn. — An assistant teacher at Ripley Primary School in Ripley, Tennessee, is charged with abusing a 5-year-old special needs student. The incident reportedly happened Thursday and led to the arrest of Debbie Mays, who was charged with child abuse.

Parents, police say teacher struck autistic 5-year-old | Since Then