Julian Teacher Is Charged in Child-Abuse Case

A veteran Julian elementary schoolteacher has been charged with four counts of misdemeanor child abuse involving three of her students in alleged incidents that occurred during class.

Mildred Eileen Tellam, 58, was charged with four counts of misdemeanor cruelty to a child and child endangerment, Deputy Dist. Atty. David Rubin said.

In October, Tellam reportedly struck 9-year-old Kyla Smith on the head, said Smith’s mother, Michelle Wolf.

“My daughter came home and she was real upset because she had gotten smacked by the teacher,” Wolf said.

After bringing the incident to the attention of school officials, she agreed to give Tellam a second chance and keep Kyla in the third-grade class, Wolf said.

But, in February, Tellam again allegedly abused one of the children in the class, Wolf said.

“My daughter came out of class crying because (Tellam) smacked a kid so hard on the back of the head that he hit his head on the desk and got a lump on his forehead,” said Wolf, who moved to Julian last year. At least three children were involved in the alleged incidents, Wolf said.

In March, the school filed a child-abuse report with the county, which then began an investigation, Wolf said. Tellam continued teaching, but with the provision that another adult be present at all times, Wolf said.

Kyla, meanwhile, was removed from the class and taught at school by a tutor, Wolf said.

Tellam has taught at Julian Elementary School for more than 20 years.

Neither school officials nor Tellam’s attorney could be reached for comment, and Tellam did not return phone calls.

Tellam was arraigned in Superior Court on the charges July 18, and a trial is scheduled for Aug. 15, although it is likely that a continuance will be issued, said Rubin, who declined to comment on the specifics of the charges.

If convicted, Tellam would face six months in prison, Rubin said.