The case against a Rebecca Boone Elementary School teacher charged with child endangerment in August 2025 was dismissed and she will be allowed to return to the classroom next fall.
Malerie O’Brien, who had taught in the Warren County R-III School District since 2020, was charged in August 2025 with one misdemeanor count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child for an incident that occurred on April 16.
The district initially conducted its own internal investigation and placed O’Brien on leave from April 17 to May 8. Superintendent Dr. Gregg Klinginsmith said officials were unable to substantiate abuse or neglect at that time, and O’Brien returned to the classroom through the end of the school year and summer school.
“We did not believe that to be substantiated,” said Klinginsmith at that time. “We’re not 100% sure that happened.”
The district received preliminary findings from the children’s division investigation on May 25. On June 2, the children’s division reported they did not find substantiated claims of child abuse, but did find substantiated claims of child neglect, according to Klinginsmith.
O’Brien spoke with The Record last week regarding her case, which was dismissed in January and how her life has changed since the case was filed.
“At the time I was teaching at Rebecca Boone Elementary and was a cheerleading coach,” she said. “I was removed from my position. I was devastated and crushed.”
O’Brien said that after her criminal case was dismissed in January she had another hearing before the Missouri Division of Family Services on March 5, and all the allegations against her were dropped as unfounded. The prior neglect finding against her was reversed at that time.
O’Brien said when all the allegations against her were overturned, the Warren County R-III School District made a decision to return her to the classroom in the fall of 2026
“It’s been nine of the hardest months of my life,” O’Brien said. “But it has made me stronger in the end. Now I am getting back to what I love most, teaching and being a part of this community.”
O’Brien said she just wanted to be back to the place she loves.
“In a few months I will be running through those school doors,” said O’Brien, adding that she is thankful that we have the justice system we have.
O’Brien said that while the last few months have been difficult she did receive signs of encouragement including hundreds of messages of support from families, friends and other staff members.
“I am so thrilled and so thankful to be here and have the opportunity in our hometown,” O’Brien said.
Klinginsmith confirmed that O’Brien would be returning to the classroom this fall. He said that while currently it is anticipated that she will teach fifth grade, that could change based upon enrollment and the needs of the school.
“We are happy to have Malerie back to work,” Klinginsmith said.
Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Rodney McKinney confirmed the case against O’Brien was dismissed around Jan. 8 and offered the following comment, “Upon further review, it was determined that insufficient evidence existed to obtain a conviction.”
