Irmo officers have arrested the principal and a teacher employed by Green Charter School of the Midlands. Sulaymaan Benoit, 32, was charged with 8 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct 3rd Degree and Tina Shaw, 41, was charged with Failure to Report Child Abuse and 2 counts of Assault & Battery 2nd Degree.

Benoit, the After School Director and substitute teacher is accused of fondling 3 students, ages ranging from 7 to 12 years old.

Shaw, the Principal is accused of failing to report child abuse in connection with the charges pending against Benoit and 2 counts of Assault & Battery in the 2nd Degree in connection with improper searches conducted on two students.

“Schools are the place our children should be safe and protected, not preyed upon” stated Chief Dale. “You have not one, but two employees who made this school unsafe and did not protect their students. Mandated Reporters are just that, MANDATED. Telling your human resources department does not absolve you of this duty. Law Enforcement and Department of Social Services must be made aware if you suspect abuse or neglect and that did not happen here. A parent notified this agency after the principal was informed of the allegations against Mr. Benoit.”

Benoit has been employed by the school for 2 years and we believe there are more victims out there. We are asking any current or former students and employees that know anything, to please contact our Investigations Division at 803-781-8088.

Benoit and Shaw were arrested early this morning with the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and South Carolina Law Enforcement Division – SLED. They were transported to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center to await their bond hearings.

NOTE: District 5 of Lexington and Richland Counties is NOT affiliated with Green Charter School of the Midlands. They are receiving a high volume of calls related to this investigation, they have NO information nor were they involved.