Florence, September 21, 2025

News Summary

A teaching assistant in Florence has been arrested after causing health issues among students through the use of a foul-smelling spray at West Florence High School. Alexander Lewis has been charged with disturbing schools and malicious injury to property. The investigation revealed the spray produced symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and respiratory issues in students. The cost of damages is estimated at $55,000, and Lewis is currently held at the Florence County Detention Center awaiting court dates.

Florence

Alexander Paul Roberts Lewis, a 32-year-old teaching assistant from Florence, was arrested on September 19 following an investigation into a disturbing odor at West Florence High School that caused health issues among students and significant property damage. Lewis has been charged with disturbing schools as a non-student and malicious injury to property valued at $10,000 or more.

Reports of the mysterious odor emerged between August 25 and September 19, resulting in numerous complaints from both students and parents. Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches were frequently reported among the student body, prompting some parents to keep their children home from school due to health concerns.

The investigation by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) revealed that Lewis had been using a commercially purchased spray designed to imitate fecal odor. The strong smell from the spray was so pervasive that it necessitated medical attention for several children who experienced respiratory issues. In total, the school incurred approximately $55,000 in expenses related to inspections and damage, particularly to the air conditioning system.

Lewis’s actions came under scrutiny after ongoing complaints from parents, including an incident where a parent reported that the odor exacerbated her son’s asthma condition. Due to the severity of the situation, which affected the health and well-being of students, Lewis was subsequently arrested. He is currently being held at the Florence County Detention Center with a bond set at $8,000 for the malicious injury charge and $1,090 for the disturbance of schools charge.

The court dates for Lewis are set for November 19 for the malicious injury charge in general sessions court and October 15 for the disturbance of schools charge in Florence magistrates’ court. The investigation into the incidents remains open, and additional charges may be forthcoming as authorities continue to gather evidence.

Background Context

Situations involving disturbances in schools can pose serious risks not only to students but also to the school’s operational integrity. The use of such harmful substances, as exhibited by Lewis, indicates a concerning behavior that could have resulted in more severe health complications for those affected.

Schools are tasked with ensuring safe environments for learning, which can be compromised by actions deemed inappropriate and harmful. The occurrences in this case highlight the significance of prompt reporting by parents and swift action by authorities in handling disturbances that compromise student health and safety.

Health Effects and Damages

• Reported Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, headaches, respiratory issues.
• Financial Impact: Approximately $55,000 in damages to school property.
• Bond Amounts: $8,000 for malicious injury, $1,090 for disturbances.

Upcoming Court Dates

• November 19: General sessions court for malicious injury charge.
• October 15: Florence magistrates’ court for disturbance of schools charge.

FAQ

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Additional Resources

• WPDE News
• WLTX News
• WMBF News
• The State
• Weather Channel
• Wikipedia: Florence, South Carolina
• Google Search: Florence South Carolina
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Florence, South Carolina
• Google News: Florence South Carolina
• Google Scholar: Florence South Carolina

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.