Authorities: Hoke teacher allowed students to fight in classroom

A Hoke County teacher was in jail Friday after allegedly staging a fight between two students in his classroom.

De'Shawn Thomas Macon, a teacher at East Hoke Middle School, was charged with two counts each of misdemeanor child abuse and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Authorities said they learned Monday of the fight, which occurred last Friday. Investigators determined that Macon "instigated and allowed two juveniles to fight in his classroom," Sheriff Hubert Peterkin said.

Hoke County Schools officials couldn't be reached Friday, so it's unclear whether Macon remains in the classroom at East Hoke Middle.