Arkansas Principal Sentenced for Child Abuse
An Arkansas school principal, previously dubbed the “ringleader” of a children’s fighting club, has been sentenced to 30 days in prison, followed by 120 days of house arrest monitored electronically, and nine years of probation.
Mary Tracy Morrison, 51, who owns and directs the Delta Brain Development Institute and Engage Program in Jonesboro, entered a guilty plea on Monday. She was found guilty of one count of condoning child abuse and four counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as reported by KAIT.
The sentencing included a prohibition on her working with children in any professional context, the requirement to surrender her occupational therapist license, and a mental health evaluation with mandatory follow-up treatment.
Morrison’s troubles began in April 2025 when the mother of a teenager informed the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office about her son’s emotional and physical mistreatment at school. According to a probable cause affidavit, video evidence gathered by deputies displayed Morrison instructing a child to sit on the floor, encircled by 18 other students, with Morrison outside the circle.
The affidavit also reported that she encouraged other students to physically strike the child using an “unknown object.” During this time, while reprimanding the child, another student was seen kicking and choking him. Astonishingly, after the incident, Morrison was observed “high-fiving” a student and seeming pleased with the aggressive behavior directed at the classmate. This unfortunate event lasted around 30 minutes and involved Morrison instructing students to hit the child in sensitive areas, according to police statements.
After the incident, Morrison directed the victim to express apologies to the other students and advised them to remain silent about what transpired.
In connection with this case, three other school employees were arrested: Michael Bean, 38, Kristen Bell, 36, and Katherine Lipscomb, 45.
Attempts to contact either the Delta Brain Development Institute or the Engage Program for comments were unsuccessful, as neither entity had publicly available email addresses.
