A speech therapist accused of slapping a boy with autism has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor injury to child.
According to the Idaho Repository, Lisa Carriere made the plea on January 22nd and is still on administrative leave following the incident.
A tort claim has been filed against Carriere seeking $2,500, an apology and for her to leave her job at the Vallivue School District where she is employed as a speech therapist.
Court documents say staff examined the boy who was “acting strange and guarding his face,” and claimed that he had a red hand-shaped mark on his face. The documents also say the boy had redness and swelling on his face, a loosened tooth, and an abrasion inside of his mouth.
"There were failures here, not just in terms of an individual losing control and losing their mind and making the decision to slap a 6 year old autistic child who can’t speak, but also with administration that didn't know what to do when a very serious incident occurred between a teacher and a student. They just did not handle it appropriately," Skaug Law attorney Matt Andrew explained during an interview.
