BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A paraprofessional at Leo B. Hart Elementary School was put on administrative leave after allegedly putting her hands on a special needs student during school on Monday.
The Panama Buena Vista School District confirmed to 23ABC News that the employee, who has been with the district for 18 years, was removed from the transitional kindergarten classroom after the incident during lunch hour. The class is for special needs students, the district confirmed.
Gerrie Kincaid, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, says the district received a report of an employee putting hands on a student in the lunch room. Kincaid told 23ABC news the student was not injured.
The student's parents were called and met with Principal Daryl Newton about the incident, Kincaid added.
The paraprofessional is an employee in good standing, Kincaid said and added that the District has started an investigation.
UPDATE, 5/8/19: Bakersfield Police confirmed to 23ABC News that they received a report of an alleged assault of a student and there is currently an active investigation into that report. The department could not comment further because it is an ongoing investigation.
