{"id":989,"date":"2026-05-06T08:28:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-06T08:28:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/school-chief-ring-leader-of-makeshift-fight-club-ordered-18-kids-to-circle-child\/"},"modified":"2026-05-06T08:28:04","modified_gmt":"2026-05-06T08:28:04","slug":"school-chief-ring-leader-of-makeshift-fight-club-ordered-18-kids-to-circle-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/school-chief-ring-leader-of-makeshift-fight-club-ordered-18-kids-to-circle-child\/","title":{"rendered":"School chief &#8216;ring leader&#8217; of makeshift fight club &#8216;ordered 18 kids to circle child&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_cd6cce\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, pleaded guilty to permitting the abuse of a child after she berated a victim and gave a high five to another pupil who attacked their classmate<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115009\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A photo of Mary Tracy Morrison\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1_School-chief-was-ring-leader-of-child-fight-club.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Mary Tracy Morrison has been sentenced\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Mary Tracy Morrison has been sentenced<cite aria-label=\"Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff's Office\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff&#8217;s Office)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A top school employee has been jailed after she was accused of being the &#8220;ring leader&#8221; of a child fight club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, who owned and was director of the Delta Institute for the Developing Brain and the Engage programme in Jonesboro, Arkansas, pleaded guilty on Monday to one count of permitting child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. It comes after she was arrested in April 2025 when <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/police\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">a mother alerted police<\/a> that her son was being mentally and physically abused at school.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/crime\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Police <\/a>obtained video footage that was obtained via a search warrant which revealed Morrison &#8220;instructed the child to sit on the floor while being surrounded on the outside of a circle by 18 other juvenile students and Dr. Morrison,&#8221; court documents said.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37115008\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115008\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.34\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A photo of Kristin Bell \" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_School-chief-was-ring-leader-of-child-fight-club.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Kristin Bell, 36, was among school employees identified in the video\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Kristin Bell, 36, was among school employees identified in the video<cite aria-label=\"Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff's Office\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff&#8217;s Office)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8b4018\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115664\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/uk-news\/londonderry-petrol-bomb-attack-police-37115664\" tabindex=\"0\">Boy, 13, arrested after police attacked with petrol bombs in Londonderry<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_8b4018\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115662\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/brazil-school-shooting-two-dead-37115662\" tabindex=\"0\">Brazil school shooter, 13, kills staff as pupils climb 20ft wall to escape bullets<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The probable cause affidavit said Morrison ordered other pupils to place their hands on the child in the middle and proceeded to hit him with an &#8220;unknown object.&#8221; <!-- -->An affidavit, obtained by Arkansas&#8217; Craighead County Sheriff&#8217;s Office, said Morrison berated the child as another child was seen kicking and choking the victim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Morrison was later seen &#8220;giving the juvenile a high five, displaying her pleasure with the student&#8217;s actions,&#8221; the document said. The horrifying incident lasted 30 minutes, and featured a teacher directing a student to hit a classmate &#8220;in the private area&#8221;, according to deputies. <!-- -->After the incident, Morrison &#8220;instructed the victim to apologise to all other students&#8221; and told the pupils to never discuss what had happened again, said the document.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37115006\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115006\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.33\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A photo of Kathrine Lipscomb\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778056083_34_0_School-chief-was-ring-leader-of-child-fight-club.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Kathrine Lipscomb, 45, was also identified in the video\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Kathrine Lipscomb, 45, was also identified in the video<cite aria-label=\"Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff's Office\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff&#8217;s Office)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Morrison was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 120 days of house arrest with electronic monitoring and nine years of probation. <!-- -->She was also banned from working with children in any professional capacity in the future and was required to complete a mental health assessment and surrender her occupational therapy licence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">School employees Michael Bean, 38, Kristen Bell, and Kathrine Lipscomb, 45, were also apprehended in connection with the allegations of abuse. <!-- -->A copy of the document, which detailed the allegations seen by The Mirror, said: &#8220;Another subject, identified as Michael Bean Jr. (possibly a teacher&#8217;s aide), can be seen entering the classroom and watching as the juvenile victim was being assaulted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Mr. Bean failed to intervene as well. A third teacher, identified as Kristin Bell can be seen walking through the classroom to a desk, where teacher Katherine Lipscomb was seated. <!-- -->Ms. Lipscomb and Ms. Bell can be seen witnessing the abuse and not intervening.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-37115005\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"37115005\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.33\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A photo of Michael Bean \" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778056084_327_1_School-chief-was-ring-leader-of-child-fight-club.jpg\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Michael Bean was accused of not intervening \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Michael Bean was accused of not intervening <cite aria-label=\"Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff's Office\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Craighead Co. Sheriff&#8217;s Office)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;During the duration of this incident which lasted approximately 30 minutes, Dr. Morrison can be heard asking the other juvenile students if they would like to say something that they don&#8217;t like about the juvenile victim&#8217;s appearance or is there anything about the victim&#8217;s looks that they don&#8217;t like.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Many students speak up and as one student is remarking Dr. Morrison can be seen hitting the victim with an unknown object and instructing the victim to look at the student that is talking.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Lipscomb\u2019s bond is set at $100,000 (\u00a373,500), and Bean and Bell\u2019s bonds were set at $10,000 (\u00a37,350). All were ordered to have no contact with the school and its students.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/us-news\/school-chief-ring-leader-makeshift-37114424\" target=\"_blank\">Source link<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, pleaded guilty to permitting the abuse of a child after she<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":990,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-989","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-crime"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778056084_1_School-chief-was-ring-leader-of-child-fight-club.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=989"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/989\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/990"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=989"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=989"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/login9ja.com\/global\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}