LONGVIEW, Texas — One of several former Longview ISD employees accused of abusing 11 special education students at J.L. Everhart Elementary is set to plea guilty in December.
Former teacher’s aide Cynthia Denise Talley, 57, of Longview, appeared in the 188th District Court on Thursday, and her case was reset to Dec. 4 for an open guilty plea hearing, court officials said. Talley is facing multiple charges of injury to a child and unlawful restraint of a person under 17 years old in connection with allegations of abuse that happened in 2021.
The charges stem from alleged offenses toward students enrolled in the J.L. Everhart Elementary life skills classroom. She was one of six former Longview ISD employees who were arrested and indicted.
So far, two former employees have both been sentenced after pleading guilty. Former teacher’s aide Paula Hawkins Dixon was sentenced to eight years in prison in October 2023 and former special education teacher Cecilia Gregg received an eight-year prison sentence as well.
Former International Baccalaureate teacher Priscilla Rosa Johnson has a hearing set for Oct. 9. Former J.L. Everhart Principal Cassandra Renee James and former Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Principal Linda Kay Browne Lister both having hearings on Aug. 9, according to Gregg County judicial records.
In September 2022, Longview ISD trustees approved a $2.5 million settlement to be distributed among 10 of the children and their families. In 2023, an 11th child and their family was awarded $250,000 as well.