Chesterfield early childhood teacher acquitted in assault allegation

TL;DR: A Chesterfield County early childhood teacher was acquitted of assault charges after a boy bit her and she responded by kicking and grabbing his jaw, with the judge finding insufficient evidence of unreasonable force despite calling her verbal reaction "absolutely inappropriate."

The story

Jennifer Repole, a 50-year-old special education teacher at Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, was found not guilty on June 16 of assaulting a student. The verdict concluded a legal case that stemmed from an incident on April 6 during school release when a boy in her care bit her while she was walking a group of students to a bus.

Surveillance video presented in court showed Repole's response to the bite: she kicked the boy and grabbed his jaw. After the incident, Repole told the child, "You bite me again, see what happens. I'll bite you back next time." Chesterfield County police charged her with assault following an investigation. The case reached trial in June 2026.

During the proceeding, Judge J. David Rigler ruled on a motion to strike after the prosecution presented its evidence, meaning the defense did not need to present a case. The judge acknowledged that Repole's verbal threat was "absolutely inappropriate," but he found insufficient evidence to sustain the assault charge, stating he was "having a hard time seeing unreasonable force." He indicated that the child's discipline should be a school matter, not a criminal one.

Repole remains on administrative leave from Chesterfield County Public Schools, and her employment status is uncertain. Her attorney, Lawrence Drombetta, characterized the verdict as a "vindication for her" following what he called a "salacious allegation."

Key players

• Jennifer Repole: Special education teacher at Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy
• Judge J. David Rigler: Chesterfield Circuit Court judge presiding over the case
• Lawrence Drombetta: Attorney for Repole
• Chesterfield County Police: Investigated the April 6 incident and filed charges
• Chesterfield County Public Schools: Employer; placed Repole on administrative leave pending outcome

Key dates

• 2026-04-06: Incident during school release when student bit teacher Repole
• 2026-06-16: Judge Rigler found Repole not guilty following motion to strike

Why it matters: The case touches on child safety in early education and the threshold between criminal responsibility and school discipline in incidents involving young students. For Chesterfield families, it raises questions about oversight and standards in early childhood programs and whether current policies adequately protect their children.

Places

• Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy

Related links

• Chesterfield County Public Schools Homepage
• CCPS School Safety Information
• Virginia Code Section 22.1-279.1 (Corporal Punishment Prohibited)
• Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy

Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →

Sources

• Chesterfield early learning teacher found not guilty of assaulting student - WTVR
• Teacher charged with assaulting student in Chesterfield - 12 On Your Side
• Chesterfield teacher charged with assaulting student - WTVR
• Chesterfield early childhood teacher charged in alleged assault of student - WRIC ABC 8News
• Virginia Code Section 22.1-279.1 (Corporal Punishment Prohibited)
• Chesterfield County Public Schools School Safety