Update 9/28 — The accused teacher in this case was cleared after an investigation by state and local authorities.
CORDOVA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Children’s Services has opened an investigation involving a teacher at Cordova Elementary.
A parent claimed the teacher hit her 6-year-old autistic son, and said his twin brother witnessed it.
Shelby County Schools issued the following statement :
“A Cordova Elementary parent reported allegations that a staff member had mistreated a student. These types of allegations are taken very seriously and following standard protocol, we have contacted the proper authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.”
“He comes home angry, upset, screaming and hits himself,” said Nancy Aguila.
Aguila said her son, Alex, started acting violently when he started school at Cordova Elementary this year, and his therapists noticed it too.
She said he hits himself and screams, “No.”
“I start crying. I’m very mad,” she said.
Aguila asked Alex’s twin, Javier, about it.
Javier has a mild form of autism and was placed in the same class.
Javier told his mom their teacher slapped Alex when he misbehaved.
Outraged and upset, Aguila immediately reported it to the school last Friday.
She said Thursday, the principal told her there was no hard evidence.
“I want to know what happened in this classroom!” said Aguila.
Meanwhile, she filed a complaint with the state.
DCS agents told WREG, “They have an open investigation into the allegations.”