Crime
Arkansas School Administrator Accused of Serving as the ‘Ringleader’ of a Fight Club for Kids
An Arkansas school administrator earned 30 days behind bars — plus 120 days of house arrest — after prosecutors accused her of being the “ringleader” of a fight club for kids.
Dr. Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, owner and director of The Delta Institute for the Developing Brain and the Engage program in Jonesboro, Ark., was slapped with the sentence after pleading guilty to one count of permitting child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, as reported by People.
Per court documents obtained by the outlet, the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office said Morrison was arrested in April 2025 after a pupil’s mother reported that her 13-year-old son was mentally and physically abused at school.
A probable cause affidavit states that in school video footage obtained by lawmen through a search warrant Morrison can be heard telling 18 students circling the juvenile to “put their hands” on him, while also being “seen putting her hands on the child as well as hitting the child with an unknown object,” per People.
The report futhers that during the disturbing 30-minute incident, the affidavit stated Morrison “berated the child the whole time as she watched many of the other students sitting around the circle punch, kick and choke the juvenile victim, sitting inside the circle.”
Authorities said in the documents that one of the youngsters was given a “high five” by Morrison as she displayed her “pleasure” with the bullying behavior.
The judge handling Morrison’s case has prohibited her from working with children in any professional manner in the future and ordered that she surrender her occupational therapy license and any other related certifications, complete a mental health assessment and follow recommended treatments.
“This resolution ensures that the victims are not required to relive these events through the court process and secures conditions that protect the community going forward,” Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Thomason said, per KAIT 8 News. “Morrison will no longer be permitted to work with children.”
