A Texas substitute teacher is under fire after being accused of assaulting a special-needs student and trying to wash her mouth with soap.
The incident that led to the unidentified teacher’s termination happened just before 10 a.m. last Tuesday at Cambridge School, a part of the Humble Independent School District.
In a statement sent to various news outlets, the district officials in the Houston suburb said they were “shocked” and “outraged” by the substitute’s behavior.
“All school staff should care for students in a respectful manner that honors the partnership with their parents,” the statement said. “The district has reported the incident to Child Protective Services and Humble ISD Police are investigating.”
According to KPRC-TV, the district said the substitute teacher thought the 13-year-old student cursed at her, but Lashae Celestine, the child’s mother, disputed that claim. After watching security footage, she clarified that her daughter has a speech impediment.
Celestine emphasized that her daughter, who also has Down Syndrome, did not swear at the teacher.