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No charges in alleged school assault BY RAYTEVIA EVANS revans@theitem.com (803) 774-1214 Sumter County Sheriff’s Office has determined there is not enough evidence to substantiate assault accusations made by a former High Hills Elementary School teacher against her principal. “The complaint was thor-
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oughly investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. As a result of the investigation, we do not feel there is probable cause to obtain a criminal warrant on school personnel,” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis, adding the issue between former High Hills teacher Jessica Pena and the school’s principal, Dr. Maggie Wright, has been re-
ferred back to Sumter School District. The decision Monday afternoon to close the investigation without any charges comes after Pena said she filed a second complaint against Wright for reportedly assaulting her a second time on Friday afternoon. Pena first accused the principal of assaulting her on April 1 during a heated con-
versation in Wright’s office, in which Pena said Wright grabbed her by the arm and threw her out of the office. Pena said she filed the second complaint after she returned to the school to collect her belongings Friday. According to the sheriff’s office, Pena was on trespass notice Friday when she returned to the school to get her
supplies from her classroom. The report states once law enforcement arrived, Pena informed officers she was unaware she could not come back to the property. Pena told law enforcement that Wright “ran up on her screaming and grabbed her by the arm” in an attempt to
SEE ASSAULT, PAGE A9
Project Lifesaver gives family peace of mind
Yearlong investigation wraps up with 4 arrests BY TYLER SIMPSON tyler@theitem.com (803) 774-1295 Four suspects wanted in connection to a series of drug arrests were recently taken into custody by Sumter law enforcement. Sherman Desmond Coleman, 32; Travies Auntwan Isaac Gray, 23; and Jeffery Dewayne Sanders, 28, were arrested Monday, and Toney Bell, 30, was arrested Friday. Coleman was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and narcotics, Gray was charged INSIDE with manufacturing On page A6, cocaine, read about Sanders how many was heroin addicts have a hard charged time getting with conthe treatment spiracy and they need. attempt to commit a drug offense, and Bell was charged with violation of probation. All four suspects were transported to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention, where Coleman was denied bond for his charges. Bond was set for Gray at $100,000 and for Sanders at $25,000. Bell, who was taken into custody by the S.C. Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services, faces additional charges. The four suspects are thought to be the last of 16 arrests made related to a
SEE RING, PAGE A9
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Kelli DuRant, who was diagnosed with a mild form of autism when she was 6 years old, wears a LoJack SafetyNet Personal Locator Unit bracelet, even when she swims. About four years ago, Kelli became the first client registered with the Project Lifesaver program run through Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. The tracking device she wears is for people who tend to wander away from caregivers.
Device helps track autistic 11-year-old who has tendency to wander off BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 It looks like a watch, but it doesn’t tell time. It helps WynnDee DuRant find her 11-year-old daughter, Kelli, if she gets lost. “She has never met a stranger,” DuRant said. “She doesn’t know danger. I go into a panic (when she walks off). This gives us security.” Kelli was the first to get a bracelet with the Project Lifesaver program run
BY JADE REYNOLDS jade@theitem.com (803) 774-1250 It’s a popular song, but it’s not the only one drawing attention to Sumter native Lee Brice. During Sunday’s 49th Academy of Country Music Awards, the 34-year-old singer and songwriter won Song of the Year for “I Drive Your Truck.” It’s about a man driving his brother’s truck after the brother died serving his country.
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Otherwise Specified. Though she was first diagnosed at the age of 6, she had already shown “significant developmental delays,” DuRant said, and a tendency to wander off when she gets focused on something. “It’s basically a tag team,” DuRant said referring to her husband and other children. “There are six of us, and we’ll call out, ‘where’s Kelli?’ She’s very independent and very strong willed. Once she has set her mind
on something, it’s set.” The device emits a radio frequency that can be tracked using antennas and hand-held devices set to the client’s frequency. “We don’t track or keep up with the client unless the individual is missing,” said Lt. Jenny Dailey, coordinator for the program with the sheriff’s office. She and two others with the sheriff’s office are trained not only in search
SEE DEVICE, PAGE A9
Brice wins ACM Song of Year
Sumter native Lee Brice performs on stage at the 49th annual Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday in Las Vegas. Brice’s song “I Drive Your Truck” won Song of the Year at the annual awards show.
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through the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and has remained a client for nearly four years. Originally funded by the Pilot Club of Sumter and Sumter-Palmetto Rotary Club, the LoJack SafetyNet Personal Locator Unit, or PLU as it is often referred to, is designed for individuals with cognitive conditions who tend to wander. Kelli has what is usually considered a mild form of autism known as Pervasive Developmental Delays Not
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He performed a partial, acoustic version of the hit at the awards ceremony. When presented the honor, Brice said “thank you,” and almost instantly passed on the credit. “This isn’t for me,” he said, according to Jaclyn Carter, publicity coordinator with Shore Fire Media. “This is for the writers. I’ll let them talk.” He had a similar reaction when he
SEE BRICE, PAGE A9
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