A former Anaheim elementary teacher is now under investigation for the abuse of special needs students, leaving parents and faculty heartbroken and demanding for answers.
An investigation into claims of physical abuse involving special needs students at Imperial Elementary School has left parents feeling devastated and urgently seeking answers.
Juliette Herrera and Amanda Allen, whose 7-year-old children are among the four potential victims identified by Anaheim police, expressed their deep concern.
“My daughter has been terrified and pleading not to go to school every day,” Herrera explained.
Allen echoed her frustration, stating, “If my child was injured, I should have been informed so I could take him to urgent care.
Instead, I wasn’t notified about any injuries at all, and that makes me very angry.”
According to police reports, teacher aides have accused one teacher of both physical and verbal abuse toward students diagnosed with behavioral disorders.
The affected students are primarily first and second graders.
As of Wednesday, no arrests had been made in connection with the allegations.
Authorities indicated that witnesses believe the alleged abuse has been occurring for at least a year.
Allen recounted a disturbing incident involving her son, who investigators said was frequently targeted by the teacher. “They told me that my child was running around the classroom when the teacher physically pushed a table onto him, pinning him against a filing cabinet.
I remember him coming home complaining of stomach pain for some time,” she recalled.
Her husband, John Allen, noted that their son often internalized his struggles, saying, “He just says, ‘I had a bad day. I’m bad.'”
Parents were informed about the situation during a notification from school administrators last Thursday, but many had already sensed something was amiss based on their children’s behavior.
Herrera shared her daughter’s experience from September, where the teacher allegedly blamed her for an incident.
“My daughter told me, ‘Mommy, I didn’t throw myself down. She threw me down,’ and then she added, ‘The teacher’s a liar,'” Herrera said.
In recent days, Herrera’s daughter has gradually opened up more about her experiences, expressing fears about getting the teacher in trouble.
“She said, ‘I can’t tell you all the bad things, Mom. I can’t tell you all the bad things,'” Herrera noted.
Orange Unified School District Superintendent Michael Christensen provided a statement to Eyewitness News, acknowledging the allegations against a former staff member.
“While we generally do not comment on personnel matters, the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priority.
Upon becoming aware of potential concerns, we took steps to address them with individual families and are actively cooperating with law enforcement for a thorough investigation.”
Parents were informed that the teacher in question no longer worked at the school but are still seeking clarity and transparency regarding the situation.
Amanda Allen emphasized the need for better safety measures, saying, “I demand improved schooling options for my son where his safety can be guaranteed, even if it means installing cameras in his special education classroom to ensure our children are not harmed again.”
The police are preparing to present their findings to the district attorney’s office, which will determine whether charges will be filed in this troubling case.
As the investigation unfolds, parents remain anxious for answers and a commitment to enhanced safety for their children.
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