Teacher Slaps Autistic Students, Faces Probation

A teacher, identified as Martin, received a two-year probation sentence without a finding on March 20, 2026, following an incident at Thacher Elementary School. The probation includes a mandatory anger management course. Martin was accused of slapping two students, a boy and a girl, on November 26, 2024. Both children have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and are nonverbal. The police report indicated the children are Black and Martin is white, though no racial animus charges were filed.

School administrators were alerted to the alleged assaults earlier on November 26, 2024, but did not contact the Attleboro Police Department until approximately 4:33 p.m. School officials cited internal interviews and required state child welfare reporting as reasons for the delay. Investigators noted that this delay might negatively impact the investigation. Multiple staff members had previously expressed concerns about Martin's behavior, describing her as overly aggressive and 'heavy handed,' with one report of hair pulling. Her lawyer had previously stated Martin denied the allegations and looked forward to her court date.