BERKELEY COUNTY, SC (WCSC) -
Officials with the Hanahan Police Department say the principal for a Berkeley County school was arrested for a criminal domestic violence charge.
Authorities arrested 56-year-old Clarence Leland Hawkins, who is the principal of Sedgefield Intermediate located in Goose Creek. The Berkeley County School District says Hawkins has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
On Dec. 30, 2012, authorities responded an apartment at the Willows apartments on 1824 Remount Road for an assault that had just occurred.
The 47-year-old victim said it all started when her ex-boyfriend, Hawkins, came to her apartment and knocked on her door. According to the victim, she opened the door and asked Hawkins what he was doing at her apartment so early in the morning.
Hawkins then told her he wanted his watch back.
Police say when the victim told Hawkins she didn't have his watch, Hawkins pushed the door open while shoving her in the chest and called her a derogatory term.
The victim said she then started yelling for someone to call police.
Investigators say the victim was able to call 911 since Hawkins was "pushing things" around the house in an attempt to locate his watch.
A police report states that Hawkins took off from the apartment after the victim called 911. Officers say they noticed that the contents of the victim's purse was thrown around the floor.
Officers say they spotted Hawkin's car following the incident and conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Remount Road and River's Avenue.
Hawkins was arrested for criminal domestic violence and taken to the Hanahan Police Department. He was later transported to the Hill-Finklea Detention Center.
The Berkeley County School District released the following statement:
"Berkeley County School District holds our employees to the highest level of professional excellence.
As soon as the district learned of the alleged incident-reported off of school grounds and not during school hours-and in compliance with District policy, the employee was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Please note that we may not disclose other specifics about the employee's employment as investigations regarding personnel matters are protected by privacy rights.
Mr. Hawkins was not at school on the Work Day for employees on January 2 and was placed on administrative leave on Thursday, January 3."
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