FALLS CHURCH, Va. — A special education teacher at George C. Marshall High School in Falls Church, Virginia has been arrested after investigators say she assaulted one of her students on two separate occasions.
Detectives arrested and charged Amy Bonzano, 50, of Falls Church with two counts of simple assault of a special needs student.
On September 28, a school employee witnessed Bonzano assault the student.
The employee immediately reported it to the school administration.
During the school’s investigation, another teacher reported they had observed Bonzano physically assault the same student approximately six months earlier. The incident was not reported at the time it occurred.
Detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department were notified of the assault on October 13, 2022 and assumed the investigation.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives interviewed several people at the school.
Friday morning, detectives obtained and served two summons releasable warrants for simple assault. (No mugshot is available due to summons releasable warrants).
WUSA9 has reached out to Fairfax County Public Schools for a statement on this investigation. We are still waiting on a response. There is no word on Bonzano’s employment status as of Friday night.
The following letter was sent to Marshall High School families by the principal following the arrest:
Dear Marshall HS Families,
I am deeply saddened tonight to inform you that Fairfax County police have announced the arrest of a special education teacher at Marshall High School who has been charged with assaulting a student. When the alleged incident occurred on September 28th, we contacted the family and the proper authorities, and placed the staff member on administrative leave. As the police reference, the investigation resulted in a staff member sharing that they had witnessed a similar incident six months earlier but did not report it. I want you to know that the person who did not report the previous incident was immediately placed on leave.
As principal, my primary responsibility is the safety and security of everyone who enters the doors of Marshall High School. This is something I take very seriously. As educators, we are entrusted with the wellbeing of the children in our care every day. It deeply affects us when someone appears to have broken that trust. Please contact Fairfax County Police Major Crimes Bureau if you have any information you would like to share at 703-246-7800, option 4.
I am here to answer your questions or concerns, and to support students in any way they need.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Litz
Anyone with information about this case, or others possibly related, is asked to contact detectives at 703-246-7800, option “4”. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone – 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and by web – Click HERE. Download the ‘P3 Tips’ App and follow the steps to “Fairfax Co Crime Solvers.” Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards of $100 to $1,000 dollars. Please leave contact information if you wish for a detective to follow up with you.
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