Clarksville, TN – A 43-year-old Tennessee man working at a behavioral school for children has been charged with child abuse or endangerment after allegedly grabbing a 10-year-old boy by the ankles and slinging him across a room during a dispute over a blanket. The shocking incident took place at Oak Plains Academy, a residential behavioral treatment facility, in May 2025.
The Incident: Blanket Argument Turns Violent
According to Clarksville Now and a police report, the incident occurred on May 28, 2025, when William Sturgill, a staff member at Oak Plains Academy, confronted a 10-year-old boy over a disagreement involving a blanket.
The child’s mother, Katelyn Swainson, told reporters that instead of trying to calm her son, Sturgill “chose to escalate the situation.”
“Mr. Sturgill, instead of walking up to my child and de-escalating him like he’s trained to do, walked up to him and was screaming and pointing in his face,” Swainson said. “My son ran from him, like fight or flight.”
The boy, who has autism, ADHD, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD), reportedly ran into a dayroom to get away. Sturgill followed him and allegedly threw the child onto a couch multiple times, according to Sturgill’s arrest warrant cited by local outlets.
Investigation and Evidence
Authorities said the confrontation was captured on video, showing Sturgill repeatedly shoving the boy onto the couch. The altercation escalated when the child kicked Sturgill “straight between his legs,” prompting the staff member’s aggressive response.
“That’s when Mr. Sturgill reacted by grabbing him by his ankles,” Swainson said. “He pulled him off the couch so hard and so fast that his head smacked on the floor first.”
Police reports confirm the child suffered bruising on his left wrist and shoulder following the encounter.
The boy later told his mother,
“He yeeted me off the couch so fast like Superman.”
Swainson said she received a phone call from her son describing the incident before the school officially contacted her.
Charges and Court Proceedings
William Sturgill, 43, was arrested in August 2025 and charged with one count of child abuse or endangerment. Court records show that his trial date is scheduled for December 15, 2025, according to the Montgomery County Circuit Court docket.
If convicted, Sturgill faces serious penalties under Tennessee law, which prohibits the use of physical force or punishment that causes injury to minors in care facilities.
Oak Plains Academy, where the incident took place, confirmed to Clarksville Now that Sturgill is no longer employed following an internal review of the surveillance footage. However, the center did not provide additional comments when contacted by media outlets.
Statements and Community Reaction
Swainson said the incident has set back her son’s progress in his behavioral therapy program.
“He was making progress there,” she said. “We were seeing that he was going down the right path, but then this happened and kind of set us all back.”
She described the moment as “devastating” for both her son and their family, who had placed trust in the facility to provide a safe and supportive environment.
Community advocates and parents have expressed concerns about staff training and supervision standards at behavioral treatment centers, emphasizing the need for trauma-informed care and de-escalation practices rather than physical confrontation.
Background on Oak Plains Academy
Oak Plains Academy, located near Clarksville, Tennessee, describes itself as a “residential treatment facility that provides services to boys and girls ages 7–17 struggling with emotional, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental challenges.”
The facility’s website states that staff members are trained to manage crises and behavioral escalations using non-violent techniques. However, parents like Swainson say this incident highlights serious gaps in staff accountability and oversight.
Oak Plains has not commented further on whether additional measures or retraining will be implemented following Sturgill’s arrest.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
The case remains under review as prosecutors prepare for trial. Sturgill’s defense team has not issued a public statement. Meanwhile, state investigators are examining whether Oak Plains Academy violated child safety and reporting protocols.
Swainson says she hopes the case will encourage stricter background checks and better staff education to prevent similar incidents.
“No parent should ever get a call that their child was hurt by someone who’s supposed to protect them,” she said.
Conclusion
As William Sturgill awaits trial for the alleged assault, questions continue to surround the safety of behavioral facilities for children with special needs. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of training, compassion, and oversight in environments meant to help vulnerable youth.
What are your thoughts on this troubling case? Share your opinions in the comments below.
