Central KY elementary school assistant charged with child abuse
An instructional assistant in the Madison County School District faces charges after an incident this month at an elementary school in the district.
Beverly Vanwinkle-Thompson, 63, was arrested just before 5 p.m. Oct. 21 after an interview with Richmond police. She was charged with second-degree criminal abuse involving a child 12 or younger and fourth-degree assault.
According to court records, the investigation began when Richmond police were contacted by the father of a 7-year-old student at Whitehall Elementary School.
Video of an Oct. 16 incident at the school showed an unclothed student being pulled by their hair from the doors of a gym to underneath a basketball goal by a woman police identified as Vanwinkle-Thompson, according to charging documents.
Another video showed Vanwinkle-Thompson standing over the student as the student tried to push away. Vanwinkle-Thompson then smacked the student on the leg, according to charging documents.
Whitehall Elementary staff told police the student had moderate to severe disabilities.
Vanwinkle-Thompson told police the student was upset they were not allowed to walk on the balance beam, so they undressed. She told police no other staff members in the gym would help her with the student and that she has 18 years of experience working as an aid to classes that teach students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Vanwinkle-Thompson is still listed as a para-educator and instructional assistant on Madison County Schools’ website, though WKYT reported she resigned Oct. 17 after being placed on leave.
The school district’s superintendent did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday afternoon.
Vanwinkle-Thompson’s arraignment is scheduled for 9 a.m. Nov. 18.
This story was updated Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. to include that Vanwinkle-Thompson had reportedly resigned. It may be updated again.
This story was originally published October 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM.
.JPG)