Documents: Principal restrained students on table, in lap while she placed paper towels in their mouths

DouglasNow has obtained documents that shed more light on the nature of the accusations levied against embattled former Indian Creek Elementary School principal Anastagia Carter, 51. On February 24, 2023, agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Carter and charged her with eight charges, including cruelty to a child (first and third degrees), false imprisonment, and simple battery. The incidents allegedly took place at Indian Creek Elementary and involved two students at the school. 

One incident allegedly took place on January 27, 2023, while the other allegedly occurred on February 10, 2023.

According to the documents, Carter is accused of holding down two Indian Creek students and placing paper towels in the students’ mouths. In both instances, the documents state that Carter put the paper towels in the students’ in the mouths and then she held her hand over their mouths after doing so. 

In one instance, the documents allege that Carter restrained the student on a table. In the other instance, the documents allege that Carter restrained the student face down on her lap while she held her hand over the student’s mouth.

These incidents led to the cruelty to children first degree, simple battery, and false imprisonment charges (two counts on each charge; one for each student).

The documents also mention a third student who was not involved in the incidents but was in the room when they took place. According to the documents, the third student witnessed the other two incidents. The documents state that the student saw Carter “commit the offenses of false imprisonment and cruelty to a child first degree.”

Carter was released on $25,000 bond following her arrest. She remains on administrative leave with pay.

On Thursday, March 2, 2023, Carter, along with her friends, family, and attorney, Francys Johnson of Statesboro, gathered at the Move of God Deliverance Center to show their support. Carter did not speak at the meeting; however, Johnson spoke on her behalf as did several other individuals. “These charges are inconsistent with this veteran educator’s demonstrated record over the last 24 years,” said Johnson. 

Later in the meeting, Johnson stated that he believed that Carter would be vindicated. “I’m just so sorry that what has happened in this last week has been a total miscarriage of justice when it comes to Anastagia Carter’s reputation in this community,” he said. 

Johnson added that his team had been provided very little information regarding the incident. He also said that Carter has “wracked her brain to try to understand how could any of her actions have been misconstrued” into anything that warranted criminal charges.

“We have obviously reviewed the specific allegations in each charge and they are without merit,” he said.

A video of the entire press conference can be seen below.