HENRICO COUNTY, Va. — What began as a seemingly minor classroom encounter ended in a violent confrontation that left a student injured and her family struggling to understand how someone entrusted with students’ care could hurt a child.

Erin Travers, 36, a former Henrico County Public Schools employee, was found guilty Thursday of malicious wounding and injury by strangulation following an incident involving a student at the Henrico ACE Center on the Virginia Randolph Campus.

During the hearing in Henrico Circuit Court, several witnesses, including teachers, an assistant principal and a student, described what happened on Jan. 21.

According to testimony, the confrontation began as the student, identified as Khloe, was leaving the classroom. Her backpack reportedly brushed against Travers, who was standing in the doorway.

What followed quickly escalated.

A teacher who witnessed the incident testified that Travers became verbally aggressive, directing a series of profanities and threats at the student before grabbing her by the neck with both hands.

Several students and the assistant principal eventually had to intervene and physically pull Travers away from Khloe.

The court also heard testimony from a forensic nursing and medicine expert, who said there was a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the injuries and symptoms Khloe experienced were consistent with strangulation.

After considering witness accounts, expert testimony, and photographic evidence of the student’s injuries, the court found Travers guilty of both charges.

For Khloe’s mother, Toya Nugin, the incident remains a deeply painful experience.

When I spoke with Nugin in February, just weeks after the incident, she recalled receiving a phone call from her daughter during the frightening encounter.

“On the phone I heard my daughter screaming, she should tried to kill me mom. She just tried to kill me. She had her hands around my neck,” Nugin said.

Nugin said she has struggled to comprehend why the incident happened and how it could have involved someone who was supposed to help keep students safe.

“I can’t wrap my mind around why or who would do it,” she said.

Although Travers has been found guilty, the case will return to court for sentencing.

The judge granted the defense attorney’s request for Travers to remain free on bond while awaiting sentencing. However, the judge imposed conditions requiring her to have no contact with Khloe and prohibiting her from performing any services within a school.

Henrico County Public Schools confirmed that Travers was terminated from her position in February following the incident.

Travers is scheduled to return to Henrico Circuit Court on Feb. 17, 2027, for sentencing