FORT WALTON BEACH — Formal charges of child abuse and child neglect have been brought against three Silver Sands employees who were arrested in January, according to a press release from the State Attorney for the First Judicial Court.

The new charges, which are third degree felonies, replace a more serious charge of aggravated child abuse that was levied in January. They are in the same classification as the charges Kenwood ESE teacher Marlynn Stillions faced. She was convicted and sentenced to seven years in prison.

The employees, Margaret Wolthers, an Exceptional Student Education teacher, and two aides, Diana Lacroix and Carolyn Madison, are accused of "unlawfully and willfully" abusing three young children between Sept. 1, 2018 and Nov. 18, 2018. The children are autistic, according to their original arrest reports.

Five days after being suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Okaloosa County Superintendent of Schools Mary Beth Jackson on Wednesday requested a formal hearing from the Florida Senate to challenge DeSantis’ decision. Under state law, suspended officials can go to the Senate to seek to be reinstated.

Marcus Chambers was named the acting superintendent of the Okaloosa County School District following the suspension of Mary Beth Jackson by Governor Ron DeSantis. This is a conversation between Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin and Chambers.

State Attorney 1st Circuit. William "Bill" Eddins speaks with Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin on the suspension of Mary Beth Jackson by Governor Ron DeSantis

Read the full story here >>

Rodney Walker, Rodney Walker, school board member sits down with Heather Osbourne and discusses what he thinks about the grand jury report.

Listen to an interview between reporter Tom McLaughlin and Bill Eddins, First Judicial Circuit State Attorney on the grand jury findings related to the Okaloosa Conty School District

Listen to audio from a September school board meeting where Mary Beth Jackson seems to contradict herself about whether she saw the investigation report.

READERS GUIDE: Scandal OCSD >>>

Read the full story >>

Listen to an interview between Daily News reporter Tom McLaughlin at State Attorney Bill Eddins.