Neosho kindergarten teacher resigns; Scott faces six counts of endangering the welfare of a minor

Neosho kindergarten teacher Debra Scott, who faces six charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, has resigned.

Ms. Scott's letter of resignation was accepted by the Neosho R-5 Board of Education Monday night.

The district had been conducting an internal investigation into Ms. Scott's activities since her arrest, officials recently told the Joplin Globe.

In a recent article, the Neosho Daily News offered this description of the allegations against Ms. Scott:

According to Newton County Sheriff Ken Copeland, six juveniles were apprehended and taken to the juvenile office in connection with vandalism at a Diamond home on July 16.

“Upon further investigation, it was learned that the mother (Scott) of one of the juveniles was aware of their plans and actually drove the juveniles to the home where the vandalism occurred on that night,” Copeland said.

A probable cause affidavit, filed by Deputy Kaleb Bridges, said the juveniles placed a toilet, several pieces of dead armadillos and several bags of trash on the lawn of the Diamond residence. Felony complaint charges filed by the Newton County Prosecuting Attorney’s office indicated two dead armadillos were placed on the lawn.

The incident took place at 12:45 a.m. July 16, Bridges said in the affidavit.

“Debra stated that they were not there a long time due to being chased off by large dogs,” Bridges wrote.

A pre-trial conference for Ms. Scott is scheduled for Sept. 3 in Newton County Circuit Court.