Charleston ‘Teacher of the Year’ Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson Suspended After Attacking Baby Daddy and New Girlfriend During Custody Exchange

Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson, a former Teacher of the Year at St. John’s High School in Charleston, South Carolina, has been suspended following allegations that she assaulted the father of her child and his girlfriend, and then attempted to hit the man with her car during a custody exchange.

According to Live5News, the incident took place on October 18 in a Walmart parking lot during what was supposed to be a routine hand-off of the couple’s young child. Witnesses told police that Nelson, 37, began physically attacking the father and his girlfriend before getting into her vehicle and driving directly toward him.

The father told officers he had opened the passenger door of Nelson’s car to retrieve his son when she allegedly began punching him repeatedly. As he tried to get away, she continued to strike him. The girlfriend, who has not been named, told police that Nelson then opened the car door and hit her in the face. Security footage reportedly confirmed that Nelson drove toward the man as he dodged her car in an effort to avoid being struck.

Charleston ‘Teacher of the Year’ Sade Delesia Nacheyle Nelson Suspended After Attacking Baby Daddy and New Girlfriend During Custody Exchange

The confrontation ended only after bystanders intervened, police said. Nelson then left the scene with her son before officers arrived.

When questioned later, Nelson claimed that her child’s father had struck both her and their son after opening her car door. She told police she had tried to go around his vehicle to record his license plate when he allegedly hit her, causing her to fall back. According to the police report, she then confronted him again and allegedly struck him as he tried to back away.

Nelson was later arrested and charged with third-degree assault and battery, domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature, and unlawfully placing a child at risk or causing harm.

Following her arrest, Charleston County School District spokesperson Andy Pruitt confirmed that Nelson has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. “Because this is a personnel matter and an active investigation, the district cannot provide additional details at this time,” Pruitt said in a statement.

According to district records, Nelson holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice, as well as a second master’s degree in school counseling. She has been employed by the Charleston County School District since 2012 and was celebrated earlier this year for her work as a counselor. When she was named Teacher of the Year in January 2025, colleagues and students described her online as “simply amazing” and praised her dedication and kindness.