Tifton Middle School staff accused of child abuse arrested and charged

TIFTON, Ga. (WALB) – The two Northeast Middle School employees involved in the inappropriate treatment of a student have been arrested and charged.

On Tuesday, November 5, the Tifton Police Department (TPD) School Resource Officer (SRO) reported to school management an incident involving inappropriate treatment of a student by two staff members.

Administration then contacted TPD investigators to begin an investigation into the child abuse incident.

This investigation led to the arrest of William Matthew Vickery, 26, of Norman Park, and Hope Wilson Falotico, 46, of Tifton. Vickery was a middle school teacher and Falotico was an assistant professor at the middle school.

Vickery is accused of:

• One count of cruelty to children in the first degree (felony)
• Twice Simple Battery

Falotico is accused of:

• Two counts of cruelty to children in the first degree (felony)
• One count of aggravated assault.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact TPD Det. Chris Knight at (229) 382-3132. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 1 (800) 597-TIPS (8477) or using the TiftonPD Tip411 mobile app.

WALB's Katelyn Barker has more information on our 4 and 5 p.m. newscasts.

Previous reporting:

• Two Tift Co. employees have been placed on leave following allegations of “inappropriate treatment of a student.”
• Tifton mother speaks out after “inappropriate treatment” of her middle school child

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