A celebrated educator, recently honored as South Carolina’s “Teacher of the Year,” now faces serious allegations that paint a disturbing picture far removed from the classroom. Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, a teacher at St. John’s High School in Charleston, is accused of a violent confrontation in a Walmart parking lot, a clash that escalated to a terrifying attempt to strike the father of her child with a vehicle.
The incident unfolded on October 18th during a scheduled custody exchange. According to police reports, the exchange quickly devolved into a physical altercation, with Nelson allegedly striking both the man and his girlfriend. The situation spiraled rapidly, moving from punches thrown to a desperate attempt to use a car as a weapon.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the harrowing moment Nelson accelerated her vehicle toward the man, forcing him to leap to safety to avoid being hit. The scene, witnessed by onlookers, revealed a shocking contrast to the image of the award-winning teacher recognized for her dedication to students.
Nelson now faces a series of charges, including third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a highly aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk. The accusations suggest a volatile situation with potentially devastating consequences for all involved, especially the child caught in the middle.
The man involved recounted to police that he was simply opening the passenger door to retrieve his son when Nelson began to repeatedly punch him, causing him to fall away from the vehicle in an attempt to escape the assault. His account details a sudden and unprovoked attack during what should have been a routine exchange.
Nelson, however, presented a conflicting narrative to authorities, claiming that the man initiated the attack, targeting both her and their son after opening the car door. This differing account adds another layer of complexity to the investigation, leaving investigators to piece together the truth.
In the wake of these allegations, the Charleston County School District has placed Nelson on administrative leave. This decision reflects the seriousness of the charges and the district’s commitment to ensuring a safe and appropriate learning environment for its students, pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
