Wednesday, September 9, 2009

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Teacher's aide suspended after abuse allegations surface

LEXINGTON, Mass. -- A Lexington teacher's aide has been suspended after she was accused of abusing a child with autism.

The aide was visiting the home of a three-year-old boy when that abuse allegedly happened.

Police said they have a video tape of the alleged abuse.

"On Friday afternoon I became aware that two parents were alleging abuse by one of the assistants who was assigned to work with a three-year-old child in the parents' home," said Paul Ash, Superintendent of Lexington Schools.

Ash said he has viewed a video tape and that it is now in the hands of police as they conduct an investigation. The school district is also conducting its own investigation.

"To the best of my knowledge the person has worked here for four years, has had an excellent record. There has never been an allegation of abuse in the past, but nevertheless, we have to be very careful. And that's why the person is on leave," said Paul Ash.

Ash confirms that the person has always worked in the schools and this is the first year being in the home of a child.

"What I say to my staff, is 'You're a professional, you've seen what happened, tell me whether this is appropriate behavior or not appropriate behavior. ' So I'm going to leave it to them to advise me and for the District Attorney's office and police department to make a determination," Ash said.

The Middlesex County District Attorney's Office released a statement that read, "Our office has been contacted and we have received a copy of video evidence of the alleged incident. The matter is now under investigation by the District Attorney's child abuse unit and the Lexington police department."

The teacher's aide has been placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation by police and the Lexington School District.

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