03/28/2024
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By Charlotte Smith

Updated at 1:45 pm on Wednesday, May 11, 2022 – Bladen County Schools announced the death of Dr. Antonia Beatty, Bladen County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, this morning. Lt. Detective D. Cheshire with the Elizabethtown Police Department confirmed reports that Dr. Beatty’s cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Elizabethtown Police Department was dispatched at about 8:45 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, after receiving a phone call to respond to Glenwood Drive in Elizabethtown.

“There is nothing to indicate foul play,” Lt. D. Cheshire stated.

According to Lt. D. Cheshire, Dr. Beatty did not leave a note at the scene.

According to reports, Dr. Beatty was last seen at the Bladen County Board of Education meeting held on Monday evening, May 9, 2022, where her employment contract as the Bladen County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources was not renewed by the Board of Education.

BladenOnline.com reached out to Bladen County Schools Public Relations Officer Elly Johnson yesterday, May 10, to confirm the information about Dr. Beatty’s employment contract. At the time of this report, no response has been given from Bladen County Schools about Dr. Beatty’s employment.

Dr. Beatty was a native of Bladen County. She held a Master’s Degree in Education from Fayetteville State University and a Master’s Degree in School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Dr. Beatty earned a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from Wingate University and has over 20 years experience in Bladen County Schools as a teacher, school administrator, and district office administrator.

Bladen County Schools posted on their social media this morning the following statement, “It is with great sadness that we share with you this morning the passing of Dr. Antonia Beatty, Bladen County Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with her family and our entire school community.”

School officials have noted there are counselors and social workers in place at the district office and the schools for support during this difficult time.

Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255.

Update at 3:27 p.m. on May 11, 2022- Elly Johnson with Bladen County Schools replied to questions submitted by Charlotte Smith at 3:27 pm on May 11, 2022. Following are the questions asked by Smith on May 10, 2022, and the answers given by Johnson on May 11, 2022.

1.     What were the motions made after the closed session?
The motions made following the closed session were Personnel Action Items A-M.
Action item A passed.
Action item B failed for lack of motion.
Action items C & D passed.
Action item E failed for lack of second.
Action items F, G, H, I, J, K, L, and M passed.

2.     Did they renew Dr. Heavenridge and Dr. Beatty’s contracts?
The Superintendent’s recommendation to renew the contract of Dr. Beatty was not approved by the Board due to a lack of motion.

The Superintendent’s recommendation to renew the contract of Dr. Heavenridge was not approved by the Board due to a lack of a second.

*Correction-The writer gave the address as Greenwood, however, Beatty’s address is on Glenwood Drive in Elizabethtown.

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