ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLERIGHTNOW) – The principal of Albemarle County’s Henley Middle School faces charges in Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

LaRuth Ensley was arrested on July 9, 2024, and arraigned the following day. She’s charged with two counts: assault and battery of a family member, which is a class 1 misdemeanor; and abusing a child resulting in serious injury, which is a class 4 felony.

Ensley became Henley Middle School principal in July of 2022. Before that, she served as assistant principal of Chesterfield County’s Falling Creek Middle School. Earlier positions include chair of a Richmond high school’s English department and faculty positions at several community colleges and online universities.

Ensley was released from custody and will make her next appearance on August 26, which is five days after students return to school. District officials have yet to comment, but they are restricted on what can be said regarding personnel issues.