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Arrest warrants issued for teacher accused of abusing special needs students

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A judge has issued arrest warrants for a teacher accused of abusing her special needs students.

Toria Ross, 35, faces three counts of first-degree child cruelty.

DeKalb County Schools police say Ross verbally and physically abused special needs students at the Stone Mountain Elementary. A source close to the investigation told Channel 2 Action News that Ross hit the children with sticks.

Channel 2's Tom Jones went by Ross' home in Conyers but no one answered the door.

On a social media account, Ross said she has spent the last 12 years working with children with disabilities and autism.

She said she is ready to change careers because she wants something more challenging that allows her to use her creativity.

DeKalb County Jail officials say now that the warrants have been issued, Ross can turn herself in or police will pick her up and bring her in.

A DeKalb County Schools representative said the district had no comment and the case is under investigation.

A judge set bond at $75,000 for Ross.