A 44-year-old Louisiana school paraprofessional, Marsha Ernest, has been arrested for allegedly attacking a 6-year-old student with special needs in a classroom incident. The assault, which authorities say was captured on video, led to the teacher’s arrest last month.
What Happened in the Classroom?
Marsha Ernest, a paraprofessional at E.E. Lyon Elementary School in Covington, Louisiana, was arrested on March 12. She faces charges of simple battery of an infirm person following an incident that occurred at the school. The child involved is a 6-year-old girl with epilepsy, who is part of a special education program.
After a complaint was made, Covington Police reviewed classroom footage, which showed Ernest allegedly throwing the child into a chair and pinning her wrists to a desk. The child’s family later revealed these details to the media, confirming the distressing nature of the footage.
The Family’s Response
The child’s parents were notified about the incident by her teacher. Upon reviewing the video, the family pressed charges against Ernest. They expressed their heartbreak, stating that the trust parents place in schools for the safety of their children had been broken.
“We trusted the school to keep our daughter safe, and that trust was shattered,” the parents told the media. They emphasized that their daughter, who has epilepsy, relies on teachers and staff for care and protection.
Investigation and Legal Actions
The Covington Police Department confirmed the arrest but withheld details about the video to maintain the case’s integrity. The school district acknowledged the ongoing investigation but has kept information about Ernest’s employment private.
Ernest was arrested and booked into St. Tammany Parish jail. She was released on March 16 after posting a $5,000 bond. A court hearing is set for June 24.
Impact on the School and New Law
In the wake of this incident, the child’s family decided to transfer her from the school. The case highlights concerns about student safety, especially for children with special needs.
The timing of the arrest is significant, as it occurred shortly after the enactment of a new Louisiana law that requires cameras in special education classrooms and imposes stricter guidelines on physical restraint and solitary confinement.
