Former Lincoln Special Education Teacher Found Guilty of Child Abuse

Hilary Everett faces up to 3 years in prison for abusing 3 young students at Beattie Elementary School

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:07pm

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A former special education teacher in Lincoln, Nebraska has been found guilty of felony child abuse for allegedly abusing three young students at Beattie Elementary School over the course of several months in the 2024-2025 school year. Hilary Everett, 44, was accused of smearing hand sanitizer on a nonverbal 5-year-old's mouth, spraying a bleach-and-water solution on the hands of two students to stop them from putting their hands in their mouths, and slapping a 6-year-old boy on the back of the head and gripping two boys by the ear.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of vigilance and reporting when it comes to protecting vulnerable children, especially those with special needs, from abuse by authority figures entrusted with their care. It also raises questions about oversight and training for special education teachers to ensure the safety and well-being of their students.

The details

Everett was arrested on March 18, 2025 after coworkers reported her for the alleged abuse, which was said to have occurred between the start of the 2024-2025 school year in August and the report to the Department of Health and Human Services hotline in late February 2025. She was immediately removed from the classroom and the allegations were reported to authorities and the students' families.

  • Everett's alleged abuse of students occurred between August 2024 and February 2025.
  • Everett was arrested on March 18, 2025.
  • Everett was found guilty of felony child abuse on February 6, 2026.

The players

Hilary Everett

A 44-year-old former special education teacher at Beattie Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska who was found guilty of felony child abuse.

Beattie Elementary School

The Lincoln, Nebraska school where Everett taught special education and allegedly abused several students.

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What they’re saying

“We must protect our most vulnerable students from any form of abuse, no matter who the perpetrator is. This verdict sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated.”

— Superintendent, Lincoln Public Schools

What’s next

Everett is expected to be sentenced in the coming weeks. The school district and local authorities will likely review their policies and procedures around reporting and investigating allegations of teacher misconduct to prevent future incidents.

The takeaway

This case underscores the critical need for vigilance, reporting, and accountability when it comes to protecting vulnerable children, especially those with special needs, from abuse by authority figures entrusted with their care. It serves as a sobering reminder that even teachers can betray the trust placed in them.