Kentucky State Police is investigating the alleged assault of a special needs student at Lincoln County High School.
The initial investigation by state police alleges that two teacher’s aides taunted, shoved and restrained a student with autism, while other students and a teacher watched and did nothing.
Officials said 51-year-old teacher’s aide, Janie Hasty, of Stanford, and another aide, 52-year-old Teresa Sparkman, of Waynesburg, twisted the student’s arm, pulled him off the floor and shoved him, with 50-year-old teacher Rebecca Spurlock, of Crab Orchard, doing nothing to intervene.
As a result of the ongoing investigation, all three suspects have been charged with criminal abuse, and summoned to appear in Lincoln County District Court.
The Lincoln County incident is at least the fifth incident involving a teacher dragging or laying hands on a student with autism in Kentucky since the school year began in August. Besides Lincoln, Greenup and Fayette Counties, Jefferson County has also seen a teacher drag or lay hands on a student with autism.
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com or 270-259-6000