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Teacher's Assistant Charged in Assault on Autistic Student
2 Apr
Summary
- Staff member allegedly struck a 6-year-old student with autism multiple times.
- The incident was captured on video, leading to the staffer's arrest.
- The student, who has developmental impairments, did not require medical treatment.
A teacher's assistant, identified as Harley, was arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with the alleged assault of a 6-year-old student with autism. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday morning at Ocean State Academy, was reported to police after school administrators received a parent's complaint.
Officers were provided with a video recording that appeared to show Harley striking the student multiple times in a classroom. The student, who has significant developmental impairments and limited verbal ability, was reportedly spitting when the alleged assault occurred.
Harley admitted to striking the student and recording the incident using camera-equipped glasses, according to a police report. The parent of the child has been notified and intends to pursue criminal charges.
Ocean State Academy, which serves students with psychiatric and social-emotional difficulties, stated that the teaching assistant was immediately fired after the incident on Monday, March 30. The school emphasized its zero-tolerance policy for such behavior.
Police arrested Harley at her residence without incident and she was released on $10,000 personal recognizance. She is ordered not to contact the victim and is scheduled to appear in court on April 23. The Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families has been notified and is involved in the ongoing review.
