MARSHALL, Texas — A Marshall ISD educational aide has been arrested after investigators say she hung a child upside down by their feet and swung the student inside a classroom at the Marshall Early Childhood Center.
According to an arrest affidavit, 37-year-old Rachel Ann Kirspel is accused of injuring a child during an incident that occurred May 14, 2026, at the Marshall Early Childhood Center on Meadow Street.
Investigators said a school employee witnessed the incident while placing papers into students’ backpacks outside the classroom where Kirspel was located.
According to the affidavit, the witness heard Kirspel tell the child, “you are ugly as Hell” and “you can tell your mama didn’t raise you right.”
The employee then reportedly heard children screaming and looked into the room, where they allegedly saw Kirspel holding the child upside down by their feet and swinging them side to side and up and down, causing the child to hit their head.
The witness yelled at Kirspel and asked what she was doing, according to investigators. Authorities said Kirspel then flipped the child upright and asked if they were okay.
The affidavit states the witness instructed Kirspel to put the child down and leave the room. Investigators said Kirspel allegedly attempted to pick the child up again to play with them before leaving.
In a statement to investigators, Kirspel reportedly said she was attempting to help children get on their nap mats when one child became uncooperative. According to the affidavit, she admitted grabbing the child, placing them over her shoulder, and later hanging the child upside down after the child continued acting up.
The witness told investigators the child was screaming and crying during the incident.
Marshall Independent School District said the district immediately removed Kirspel from campus, launched an investigation, terminated her employment, and notified Child Protective Services and the Texas Education Agency.
The district also pushed back against claims circulating on social media, stating officials acted swiftly and appropriately after learning about the incident.
Kirspel was arrested by the Marshall ISD Police Department and charged with Injury to a Child, Elderly or Disabled Person with Intent to Cause Bodily Injury.
She remains in custody at the Harrison County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
