The Covington Police Department is investigating a complaint of cruelty to juveniles involving a student at E. E. Lyon Elementary School, 1615 North Florida Street in Covington.
Last week, school staff at Lyon Elementary School reported a concerning incident involving a student and Monica Bates, a paraprofessional at the school. The incident is alleged to have occurred during school hours while Bates was supervising the student.
Covington Police Department Chief Michael Ferrell said upon receiving the report, his officers immediately launched a comprehensive investigation. Following a thorough investigation, Monica Bates was arrested on Thursday morning, May 23, 2024, and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on one count of cruelty to juveniles. Bates is no longer an employee of the school system.
The investigation is ongoing. Due to the nature of the allegations and to protect the privacy of the student involved, no further details will be released at this time.
The Covington Police Department would like to acknowledge the full cooperation of the St. Tammany Parish School System throughout this investigation. Their commitment to the safety of their students is appreciated.
