Lexington County teacher accused of assaulting nonverbal student

Fritzie Suerto Refamonte, 45, is accused of assaulting a student on Tuesday, Jan. 14, says Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon. (Photo: Lexington County Sheriff’s Department)

LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– A White Knoll High School teacher has been charged after allegedly assaulting a student at the school, say investigators.

Fritzie Suerto Refamonte, 45, is accused of assaulting a student on Tuesday, Jan. 14, says Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon.

She’s accused of taking the hands of a nonverbal student and using them to strike the student’s face.

“When we became aware of this incident, we opened an investigation and determined Refamonte allegedly assaulted the student Jan. 14,” Sheriff Koon says.

According to an arrest warrant, Refamonte says she told the student to “hit yourself, not the teacher” in an effort to let the student know what the student did was not good.

Refamonte was arrested at her home Wednesday morning, Jan 29, and charged with third-degree assault and battery. 

She is being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.