Hilary Everett, (Lancaster County Department of Corrections, Courtesy)
LINCOLN — A 43-year-old school teacher has been arrested on felony child abuse charges following a month long investigation.
Public Information Officer Erika Thomas says on Feb. 26 a report was made to the DHHS hotline regarding allegations of child abuse involving special education students at Beattie Elementary School since at least December 2024.
Lincoln Police were then notified and initiated an investigation against Hilary Everett. “LPD has identified three victims, a five-year-old, six-year-old and seven-year-old boy, two of which are non-verbal.,” Thomas says.
“The allegations include Everett applying hand sanitizer to the children’s mouths, applying bleach water on their hands, guiding a child by squeezing his ear and a slapping a child in the back of the head.”
Investigators determined there was probable cause to arrest Everett. She was taken into custody on Tuesday and booked at the Lancaster County Jail for child abuse. Beattie principal Julie Lee sent an email to families on March 4 about an investigation they were working with LPD.
School administrators had received concerning reports about Everett and how she worked with three special education students. Once administrators became aware of the concerns, they immediately ensured Everett was not in the classroom, contacted the Department of Health and Human Services Hotline and Lincoln Police and the families of the students involved.
LPS Interim Superintendent John Skretta says he understands how hearing about reported abuse can be concerning for our families and community. “This is the type of news you never want to get as a school administrator,” Skretta says.
“It is our duty as educators to prioritize the safety and well being of every child that walks through our doors. It is a responsibility we do not take lightly. At Lincoln Public Schools we will not tolerate any abuse or mishandling of students. No child deserves to be treated with disrespect or harm.”
Everett is no longer employed at Lincoln Public Schools. She joined LPS in August of 2016 and this was her first teaching position. If anyone has any safety concerns, they are encouraged to contact Lincoln Police at (402)441-6000. You can also use the green Safe to Say button on the LPS website or the Safe2Help Nebraska App.
Story provided by KLIN.
