Shasta County Elementary Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Physically Abusing Several Children

This is a press release from the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office. The information has not been proven in a court of law and any individuals described should be presumed innocent unless guilty proven guilty:

In February of 2026, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office received a report indicating a North Cottonwood Elementary School Teacher physically abused several children during the course of her employment. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the case was assigned to the Major Crimes Unit (MCU) for follow-up. Through further investigation, the teacher was identified as Jandee Marie Smart, age 43, of Cottonwood. After interviewing numerous witnesses and victims, a Felony Arrest Warrant was issued for Smart on April 2nd, 2026, for the following charges:

245(a)(1) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon
245(a)(4) PC – Assault Resulting in Great Bodily Injury
Four Counts of 273a(b) PC – Child Abuse
Four Counts of 242 PC – Battery
273a(a) PC – Child Abuse
273d(a) PC – Corporal Punishment of a Child

Smart was taken into custody and booked into the Shasta County Jail on April 2nd, 2026. Smart’s bail is currently set at $50,000.
This is an ongoing investigation and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit.