TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) – The two Northeast Middle School staff members involved in the inappropriate treatment of a student have been arrested and charged.

On Tuesday, November 5th, the School Resource Officer (SRO) of the Tifton Police Department (TPD) reported to school administration an incident involving the inappropriate treatment of a student by two staff members.

The administration then contacted TPD investigators to launch an investigation into the child abuse incident.

This investigation led to the arrest of William Matthew Vickery, 26, of Norman Park, and Hope Wilson Falotico, 46, of Tifton. Vickery was a middle school teacher and Falotico was a middle school paraprofessional.

Vickery is charged with the following:

• One count of first-degree child cruelty (murder)
• Two counts of simple battery

Falotico is accused of the following:

• Two counts of first-degree child cruelty (murder)
• A charge of aggravated assault.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact Det. TPD. Chris Knight at (229) 382-3132. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1 (800) 597-TIPS (8477) or using TiftonPD Tip411 mobile application.

of WALB Katelyn Barker will have more information in our 4pm and 5pm news bulletins.

Previous coverage:

• 2 Tift Co. staff members placed on administrative leave following allegations of ‘mistreatment of student’
• Tifton mother speaks out after ‘inappropriate treatment’ of her middle school child

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