Bates Middle School custodian charged with assault

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

FILE - Shown is a Philadelphia police car with flashing lights in Philadelphia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. The Philadelphia Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police has filed a lawsuit Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 seeking to stop a city law banning officers from pulling over drivers for low-level offenses from going into effect saying the law illegally pre-empts existing state laws on traffic violations. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

SUMTER, S.C. (WOLO)– A Bates Middle School custodian has been charged with assault after a student reported an assault to school officials, said officials.

Police said, the incident happened earlier Thursday, October 16, as the student was drinking from a hallway water fountain at Bates Middle School.

He then brought the incident to the attention of school officials who notified police.

Based on interviews and video surveillance obtained, Dorthy Johnson, 48, of Sumter, is being charged with assault and battery-2nd degree and was booked at the county detention center, according to authorities.

Sumter Police said an investigation is continuing.