Former special education teacher enters plea deal

A former Kingsport City Schools special education teacher charged with numerous counts of child abuse entered a plea deal Friday. Michelle Carpenter, who was a pre-school special education teacher, was previously indicted on 20 felony counts of child abuse involving 10 special needs pre-school aged children. The abuse happened between August 2021 and March 2022. Carpenter entered an Alford plea and pleaded guilty to two counts of child abuse/neglect. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 9.