A former Wharton ISD teacher’s aide avoided jail time after admitting she struck two Life Skills students in her care. Judge John Maher sentenced 68-year-old Donna Kay Plunkett to four years of deferred probation, community service, and a ban from working around children. The incident happened at Sivells Elementary in ’22, where classroom cameras captured the strikes. Neither child suffered major injuries, but the district removed Plunkett immediately. Another aide in the room is also facing charges for failing to report the abuse.