Crime

Azle ISD special education teacher arrested on assault charge involving student

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Get breaking news alerts at star-telegram.com/newsletters. Star-Telegram illustration/Ricky Moon photo

An Azle ISD special education teacher has resigned following an arrest after allegedly assaulting a student.

The Azle ISD school board planned to discuss the dismissal of teacher Sawyer Stinchfield during executive session at a meeting April 20.

Stinchfield resigned prior to the meeting, leading the board to take no action.

Stinchfield has been booked in the Tarrant County Jail, according to records. No details about his bond or hearing dates were available as of Tuesday. Stinchfield has been charged with assault against an elderly or disabled individual, according to the Azle Police Department.

Stinchfield is certified as a special education teacher, according to the Texas Education Agency. His most recent certification was granted in 2025 and expires in 2031, according to agency records.

The district said it became aware of an incident involving the alleged assault of a student at Azle High School on April 9. The district said it investigated the incident, placed Stinchfield on leave and notified law enforcement and all parents of students in his classroom. The Azle Police Department said in a news release that after conducting “a thorough investigation into the incident,” an arrest warrant was issued for Stinchfield. The district did not share details regarding what occurred. The district said it is fully cooperating with the Azle Police Department and is limited in what it can share due to an ongoing investigation.

“Azle ISD does not tolerate conduct that jeopardizes student safety or dignity and remains committed to providing a safe and supportive learning environment for all students,” the district said in a statement.

This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 2:32 PM.

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Tanya Babbar
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Tanya Babbar is a former journalist for the Star-Telegram.
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