In the News

A Milwaukee Public Schools teacher’s aide was arrested for physical abuse of a child Wednesday after he allegedly slammed a 14-year-old student to the floor and held him there, Milwaukee police said.

 

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, which happened around 10:50 a.m. at the city’s Bay View High. It was captured in a video, published by CBS 58, Milwaukee’s CBS affiliate, that shows the 39-year-old aide shoving the student onto a desk and then onto the floor. The student was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, police said.

 

The video does not show what was happening in the classroom before the camera started rolling. Students who witnessed the incident told CBS 58 that the aide and the student had been arguing, and that the student had been disrespectful.

 

In a statement, school officials called the incident “deeply disturbing” and said the aide “faces disciplinary action, including termination.”

 

“As soon as the school administration was notified of the incident, the Milwaukee Police Department was contacted and the staff member was removed from the classroom,” the statement said.

 

School officials declined to identify the aide by name or say how long he has worked for Milwaukee Public Schools, citing the ongoing investigation into a personnel matter. Police said they would not release the aide’s name unless the prosecutor issues formal charges.

 

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), who represents Milwaukee on Capitol Hill, said she was “deeply disturbed” by the video and found the aide’s alleged behavior “blatantly inexcusable.”

 

“Luckily, the student only sustained minor injuries, but that doesn’t change the severity or magnitude of this incident. When Milwaukee parents send their sons and daughters to school, they reasonably expect that school to serve as a safe space for their children to learn and grow,” Moore said in a statement.

 

“We still do not have all the facts about this incident, but as details continue to surface, I ask my constituents to remain calm and measured as the proper authorities conduct their investigation.”