HOUSTON – An Aldine High School staff member facing charges for a physical altercation that left a special needs student with broken bones appeared before a judge Thursday morning.
Taja Holly, 26, was charged with bodily injury to the disabled.
According to family members, the 15-year-old boy has been previously diagnosed with mental retardation, autistic disorder, chromosomal anomaly, disruptive behavior disorder, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, static encephalopathy and receptive-expressive language disorder. The family says he has the mental capacity of a 2-year-old.
Investigators say the boy was injured by Holly and another staff member, Sandra Burton, inside the school gym on Sept. 17, and it was captured on surveillance video.
According to court documents, the video shows the teen was attempting to interact with a fellow student, who uses a wheelchair, when Burton shoved him with her right arm. When the teen turned around, Burton swung her left arm back and threw a "haymaker style" strike to his arm.
The student was attempting to lightly swap at Burton when he was pushed by Holly, investigators say. The boy stumbled to the ground and his right leg struck the gym floor. He also hit the right side of his head.
The boy was helped up and walked to the front of the school. His mother later took him to Texas Children's Hospital, where it was determined he suffered a broken right leg and a broken toe on his right foot. The boy is now in a wheelchair.
A clinical psychiatrist says in addition to the physical injuries, the boy is now suffering from "school phobia" and is unable to return to school, according to records.
The charges allege Burton and Holly told school administrators that the student was being violent, had struck Burton in the face and was attempting to push the student in the wheelchair out of the gym, but after reviewing the video, their statements were found to be false.
The video does not show the student hitting Burton or pushing the student in the wheelchair, investigators say.
After being confronted with the video evidence, Holly admitted what she did, saying she allowed her emotions and frustrations to "get the best" of her, according to court documents.
Holly's bond was set at $5,000.
Burton, 55, was also charged bodily injury to the disabled. Her bond was set at $5,000.
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Aldine Independent School District released the following statement:
"There was an incident involving a paraprofessional and a substitute assigned to a special needs class. Aldine police and campus administrators have been involved with investigations. Aldine police presented evidence to the district attorney who accepted charges. Aldine ISD has been following our process for investigating the allegations involving staff.
This type of conduct is unacceptable and our district remains committed to ensuring that all our students are provided a safe learning environment. We will continue cooperating with the proper authorities in this matter."