Empty Classroom - File Photo - Bigstock Photo

Behavioral school worker accused of tossing boy across room in tennessee — Empty Classroom - File Photo - Bigstock Photo

Clarksville, TN – A former worker at Oak Plains Academy faces charges following an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old boy. William Sturgill, 43, is charged with one count of child abuse in relation to the May event.

Sturgill allegedly threw the boy onto a couch after a dispute over a blanket. The child’s mother, Katelyn Swainson, reported that her son described the incident as being “yeeted” off the couch.

Swainson received a call from her son on May 28 detailing the confrontation. She stated that Sturgill approached her child aggressively, screaming and pointing in his face.

According to reports, the boy ran away from Sturgill, who pursued him into a dayroom. After the boy allegedly kicked Sturgill during a physical confrontation, he was thrown to the ground, sustaining injuries.

Swainson claimed the incident was captured on video, showing Sturgill pushing her son onto the couch multiple times. She noted her son suffered bruising on his wrist and shoulder as a result of the altercation.

The child had been attending Oak Plains to address behavioral issues associated with autism and ADHD. Swainson expressed concern that this incident has hindered her son’s progress.

Oak Plains Academy confirmed Sturgill is no longer employed at the facility after management reviewed the video evidence. The center has not responded to requests for further comment.

Sturgill’s trial is set for December 15 as the case progresses.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.