LONGVIEW, Texas — One of the former Longview ISD employees accused of abusing 11 special education students at J.L. Everhart Elementary is set to be sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty.
On Wednesday, former teacher’s aide Cynthia Denise Talley, 57, of Longview, pleaded guilty in the 188th District Court to all charges against her, including seven counts of injury to a child and one count of unlawful restraint, in connection with allegations of abuse that happened in 2021.
Following her plea, Judge Scott Novy scheduled the formal sentencing hearing for Jan. 7 at 1 p.m.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Botto said after the hearing that Talley is set to receive five years for each of her convictions, but all the sentences will be served at the same. Her sentence will be pronounced at the formal hearing in January.
The state's attorney said a majority of the family of the students involved in this case agreed with the plea deal.
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.
Among the six people, 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 J.L. Everhart Principal Cassandra Renee James and former Curriculum Coordinator/Assistant Principal Linda Kay Browne Lister both have hearings on Jan. 8, according to Gregg County judicial records. Former International Baccalaureate teacher Priscilla Rosa Johnson has a status hearing set for Feb. 5, 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.
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