Caroline County teacher faces 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to abusing 3-year-old boy

CAROLINE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Caroline County teacher is facing up to 11 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to three charges of abuse against a three-year-old boy.

In a hearing on Thursday, Jan. 8, 28-year-old Spenser Bettinger, a former teacher at Bowling Green Elementary School, pled guilty to three charges of abuse against a three-year-old boy and faces up to 11 years in prison.

8News previously spoke to the mother, who asked to remain anonymous. She alleged her three-year-old son was abused by Bettinger at the elementary school on Friday, Sept. 19, after her son showed signs of distress and was hesitant about going to school.

In late September 2025, a spokesperson for Caroline County Public Schools confirmed the incident was caught on school surveillance cameras, which were also shown in court.

Caroline County Public Schools also confirmed Bettinger is no longer employed by the school district.

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.