Starmont teacher charged with assault after allegedly biting student

Edgewood, IA – An employee of the Starmont Community School District in northeast Iowa is charged with assaulting a student.

The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office says they were called to investigate a report by school officials of an alleged assault by a teacher against a student on March 16th.

The criminal complaint filed in Fayette County District Court says 49-year old Anita Smith of Edgewood allegedly grabbed a 16-year-old student’s arm during class and bit it. The bite left a red mark, some bruising and teeth marks. Smith told investigators that she was role-playing when the incident occurred.

Smith had been placed on administrative leave during the investigation. She will appear in court on the assault charge at a later date.