Smyrna Police Investigators have concluded their investigation into child abuse/neglect allegations that began in February 2024, with arrests this week.
This investigation, conducted in partnership with the Delaware Department of Justice and with the cooperation of the Smyrna School District, has revealed an alleged pattern of troubling behavior in a special needs elementary classroom.
Officials have alleged that the investigation revealed that employees working in this classroom would allegedly throw objects at the students, yell at them, and call them names. One of the suspects, Makayla Lomax, 31, of Smyrna, is also alleged to have struck a student in the face, as well as sprayed that same student with a water bottle as a form of discipline police said Wednesday.\
During the investigation, police said they also uncovered another alleged incident outside of the affected classroom that occurred in the Fall of 2022 and involved two of the employees feeding hot sauce and hot Takis to a special needs student who had a known digestive disability, according to police.
Marrisa Johnson, 26, Smyrna:
10 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. JP Court 2 video presentment, $10,000 unsecured bond with no contact orders.
Makayla Lomax, 31, Smyrna:
Child Abuse 3rd Degree, 9 counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Offensive Touching. JP Court 2 video presentment, $12,500 unsecured bond with no contact orders.
Morgan Donahue, 21, Clayton:
1 count of Endangering the Welfare of a child. JP Court 2 video presentment, $500 unsecured bond with no contact orders.
Officials noted that as with all individuals accused of crimes, these defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.