UPDATE APRIL 22:

Bean, Bell, Lipscomb and Morrison were released from the Craighead County Detention Center on April 21, according to online jail records. Bean was released at 5:02 p.m., Bell at 4:47 p.m., Lipscomb at 5:26 p.m., and Morrison at 4:46 p.m.

Previously:

Jonesboro, AR — (JonesboroRightNow.com) — April 21, 2025 — Craighead County Prosecuting Attorney Sonia Hagood said a Jonesboro school director orchestrated what she described as a “makeshift child fight club” following the emergence of video evidence.

On April 21, Craighead County Judge David Boling found probable cause to charge 50-year-old Mary Tracy Morrison, owner and director of The Delta Institute for the Developing Brain and the Engage program, with permitting child abuse.

Morrison was arrested on Monday, along with three of her employees: Michael Bean, 38; Kristin Danielle Bell, 36; and Kathrine Mae Lipscomb, 45. The arrests came after video of an incident at the school surfaced.

According to Hagood, the video depicted a teacher instructing one student to strike another “in the private area.” She later called Morrison “the ringleader of this particular incident.”

Judge Boling set Morrison’s bond at $250,000 cash/surety and issued a no-contact order, prohibiting her from interacting with the school or its students.

Hagood argued for a higher bond for Lipscomb, emphasizing her professional responsibility as a licensed teacher and suggesting she should have intervened sooner. Judge Boling agreed, setting Lipscomb’s bond at $100,000 cash/surety, also with a no-contact order.

Attorney Bill Stanley, representing all four suspects, argued that the affidavit lacked evidence of actual physical injury to the alleged victim and requested an amendment to the charge. Hagood countered this argument, stating, “I can’t believe how we have to explain to men how painful it is to be hit in the private area.”

Meanwhile, Bean and Bell each received a $10,000 cash/surety bond and were also ordered to have no contact with the school or its students.

Hagood requested that court documents related to the incident be sealed for 90 days, citing the early stage of the investigation and the potential identification of victims. Judge Boling indicated he would rule on this request later on Monday afternoon.

In the event the sealing request is denied, Hagood asked the court to allow her office to “redact it a little bit” to ensure the victims’ protection.

Editor’s Note: “Engage” describes itself as a “unique learning center that teaches children with autism the executive functioning skills that will make them accomplished, goal-driven adults.” The Engage Center for Enriched Learning is a 10,000-square-foot house on 1919 Hasbrook Road. At the facility learners have the opportunity to live on their own and make their own money.

Morrison, told KAIT-TV in April 2024 that Engage has about 120 “learners.” Another Engage facility, at 4502 Access Road, serves as a fitness center for “physical education and basketball games.” In April 2023, Morrison told KAIT-TV that Engage is “the only program like it in the country.”