BROWNSBORO, Texas (KLTV) — Kyle Rocha, a 39-year-old former Behavioral Specialist Teacher at Brownsboro ISD, is facing a felony charge of injuring a child with intent to cause bodily harm. Rocha was terminated from his position after a school investigation into the incident, which took place on September 13, 2024, in his behavioral classroom at Chandler Elementary School.
According to an affidavit, the case began after a parent complaint prompted an investigation by the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Taskforce. Surveillance footage from Rocha’s classroom showed a confrontation between Rocha and a 7-year-old student. The child appeared uncooperative when Rocha asked for a necklace that had become a distraction. Video footage allegedly shows Rocha pushing the boy’s desk backward, causing the child to hit his head and elbows on another desk. The child then jumped up crying.
Following a review of injury photos that showed marks on the boy’s head and elbows, an arrest warrant was issued for Rocha. He was formally arrested on September 24.
In response to a public information request, KLTV obtained emails Rocha sent after the incident. One message, sent on September 17 to the superintendent and director of special education, listed what Rocha called “mistakes” in how he handled the situation. These included not removing the student from the classroom early in the disruption and reintroducing the child before he had calmed down. Rocha acknowledged areas where he needed to improve and wrote, “If the student was injured, that is unfortunate and as the adult in the room, I take full responsibility.”
Notably, Rocha did not admit in the emails to pushing the desk or physically contacting the student.
In a separate email dated September 13, the same day as the incident, Rocha expressed frustration about the challenges in the ABLE classroom. He described conflicting feelings about his role, writing, “Sometimes I say I won’t last the year… other times I leave joyful, feeling I’m where I need to be.”
Ten days after that email, Rocha was officially terminated from his position.
Under Texas law, causing injury to a child intentionally or knowingly is a felony. If convicted of a third-degree felony, Rocha could face 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine.
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 19, 2025. Rocha’s attorney has not responded to requests for comment.
