Nov 29, 2007 - Gracia Thompson, 44, a special education teacher at Lanigan Elementary School, was arrested, accused of abusing two developmentally challenged students.
She was charged with two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child. Investigators say Thompson hit a five year old in the head four to five times with the palm of her hand. They also say she spanked a seven year old with his pants down. The incidents happened in May, but police were not notified until five months later.
The school said they were conducting their own investigation.
Police Press Release ( Dated Nov 29, 2007)
Dec 26, 2007 - A greatly-modified story that began with with the attorney for Thompson saying that the allegations from two teacher’s aides are nothing more than a vendetta against his client, ended up somewhat different.
The aides did not approach the police with their information but were called in by the police department after the call to a child abuse hotline that started the police investigation. That investigation occurred well after the school district’s own investigation was completed. We did not mean to imply that the aides sought out the police, when in fact it was the other way ’round.The full text of depositions and accusatory instruments filed with the court are available for viewing at the site.
Despite what they’d witnessed, [teacher's aide Jacqueline] Meeker said that fear of being professionally “black balled” or accused of lying prevented the aides from coming forward.
“I am in the CSEA union and the teachers have their own teachers union,” she said. “Since I have been with the school district, it is known that the other unions do not go up against the teachers union. It is understood that they have a lot of power and it is believed that you may lose your job if you do.” Jan 10, 2008 - Thompson was arraigned. The district said last month Thompson was transferred to a different job that does not include any contact with children. The case was adjourned to Feb. 27, 2008 for further action.
