Teacher’s aide at special needs high school arrested on child abuse charges

By Paul Takahashi

Tuesday, March 6, 2012 | 5:57 p.m.

A special education teacher’s aide was arrested Tuesday on charges of child abuse, according to a Clark County School District spokeswoman.

Lachelle James, an aide at Variety High School — a school for special needs children — was arrested at the eastern valley school on charges of felony child abuse and misdemeanor battery, said Amanda Fulkerson, Clark County Schools communications director.

So far, the School District has identified one student who was physically abused, Fulkerson said, adding it was not a case of sexual abuse.

James has been suspended immediately without pay and will be terminated upon approval of an arbitrator, Fulkerson said. James also may be terminated immediately if she misses more than six days of school for being in jail.

“It is unconscionable of any adult to mistreat a child, but the circumstances around this case are especially alarming,” Fulkerson said in a statement. “Our community should be assured that the district will not tolerate this behavior by any employee and that our police department will work swiftly on this case.”

Fulkerson said she did not immediately know how long James had been employed by the School District.

A memo to Variety parents is forthcoming, Fulkerson said, adding she could not provide additional details about the case as it is still under investigation.