The wife of a former president of the Florence Five County School District, who was recently arrested on charges of sex with several children, has been temporarily banned from teaching.
Last week, the South Carolina State Board of Education and the South Carolina State Board of Education issued a summary suspension order against Mary Costa King Marsh.
Mary Marsh, who was arrested on March 3, was charged with two counts of unlawful child neglect. She received a $ 10,000 bond for each charge and was released shortly after being assessed.
Her husband, Christopher Garrett Marsh, 51, was also arrested on March 3 and charged with two counts of first-degree sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of second-degree legal sexual conduct with a minor, and two charges of criminal third-degree sexual conduct with a minor. minor, according to the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Florence County Sheriff’s Office officials said Chris Marsh was arrested after an extensive investigation by child abuse investigators.
According to the sheriff’s office, Chris Marsh allegedly sexually assaulted the victim in early 2015, when the child was 5 and sexual abuse continued until February 2021.
Mary Marsh was aware of the abuse in 2015 and “continued to allow the child to be exposed to a substantial risk of physical harm” until February 21, 2021, according to the sheriff’s office.
*****
RECEIVE THE LATEST NEWS FROM SOUTH CAROLINA IN YOUR INBOX …
*****
Mary Marsh, who worked as a teacher in Florence County School District 5, reportedly did not report the abuse incidents to the authorities.
The state council considered the evidence in the case and decided to suspend Mary Marsh’s teaching license until a due process hearing is held (probably until the trial date).
“SCDE has reason to believe that, due to the seriousness of this allegation of misconduct, Ms. Marsh may pose a threat to the health, safety and well-being of students who may be under her instruction, and that an emergency action is necessary, ”the state council decided (see the complete order below).
Marsh-Mary-Costa-K-Summary-Suspension-Order
Chris Marsh resigned from the district the day before he was arrested.
He posted a $ 150,000 bond and was released from the Florence County Detention Center on March 10, the WMBF reported.
Chris Marsh has been chairman of the school council for school district five in Florence County since 2019. He is also president of Hemingway Apparel in Hemingway, South Carolina.
*****
WANT TO TURN OFF THE SOUND?
Is there anything you would like to say in response to one of our stories? We have an open mic policy! Send your own letter to the editor (or guest column) by email HERE. Do you have a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Have a technical question or a failure to report? CLICK HERE.