She was convicted of seven counts of injury to a child and one count of unlawful restraint, in connection with abuse that happened in 2021.
LONGVIEW, Texas — A former Longview ISD employee was sentenced to five years in prison for her role in the abuse of 11 special education students at J.L. Everhart Elementary.
On Tuesday, ex-teacher’s aide Cynthia Denise Talley, 57, of Longview, was formally sentenced to five years in prison after she pleaded guilty to all charges in December. She was convicted of seven counts of injury to a child and one count of unlawful restraint, in connection with abuse that happened in 2021.
The charges stem from alleged offenses toward students enrolled in the J.L. Everhart Elementary life skills classroom. She was one of six former Longview ISD employees who were arrested and indicted.
Among the six people, former teacher’s aide Paula Hawkins Dixon was sentenced to eight years in prison in October 2023 and former special education teacher Cecilia Gregg received an eight-year prison sentence as well.
Former J.L. Everhart Principal Cassandra Renee James and former Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Principal Linda Kay Browne Lister both have hearings Wednesday, according to Gregg County judicial records. Former International Baccalaureate teacher Priscilla Rosa Johnson has a status hearing set for Feb. 5, according to Gregg County judicial records.
In September 2022, Longview ISD trustees approved a $2.5 million settlement to be distributed among 10 of the children and their families. In 2023, an 11th child and their family was awarded $250,000 as well.
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