SAN ANTONIO – The North East Independent School District confirmed Friday that a teacher's aide has been placed on leave while the district investigates whether she dragged a kindergartner across the floor of an elementary school gymnasium.
The incident was reported Wednesday at Stahl Elementary School, in the 5200 block of Stahl Road, by a physical education teacher who witnessed the incident earlier in the day, according to an NEISD representative.
The student was reportedly dragged 29 feet by his wrist while on his back, then forced to sit facing a wall while the aide put her knee against the child's back.
The full-time teacher's aide has been on paid leave since Wednesday as the district investigates but has denied that the incident happened.
"In no way, shape or form would this be appropriate. This is not something that would ever be included in any type of training," said NEISD spokesperson Aubrey Chancellor, who added that the aide could face criminal charges.
A report has been filed with North East ISD police and the district's human resources department, as well as Child Protective Services, who continues to investigate, according to Chancellor.
Chancellor said the aide has been with the district since 2013.
The child was examined by the school's nurse and his parents but was uninjured during the incident, Chancellor confirmed.