Three former employees of Tyler High School in Texas have been arrested after allegedly abusing a disabled student by taping his hands together and forcing him to walk in circles for hours. The incident came to light after the student’s grandmother became concerned about redness on his hands when he arrived home.
Krystina Rena Haas, 35, who was supervising the special needs student, along with aides June Renee Tyron and Prisicilla Gutierrez, were arrested last Friday. The 16-year-old student, who has Down syndrome, was reportedly subjected to mistreatment by the staff members while in class.
According to reports from local CBS 19, KLTV, and Moore County News Press, security footage reviewed by police shows Haas forcing the student to walk around the classroom for more than four hours. At one point, Haas is said to have gotten angry with the student, yelling at him and getting “right up in his face.”
Court documents reveal that Haas then instructed Tyron to get tape, and both of the student’s hands were wrapped together. The student’s grandmother called the police after noticing the redness and irritation on his hands.
The three former staff members now face charges of causing injury to a disabled person. Haas is being held on a $300,000 bond, while Tyron and Gutierrez’s bond amounts are set at $150,000 each. They were arrested and booked into the Smith County Jail in Tyler, Texas.
Haas reportedly told police that she became angry with the student after he allegedly made rude gestures and comments towards her, even though she knew about his disability. Meanwhile, Tyron allegedly spoke to the student in a “demeaning” manner, and Gutierrez was reportedly crocheting at her desk during the incident.
Jennifer Hines, a spokesperson for the Tyler Independent School District, confirmed that all three employees were fired following the discovery of the incident. She emphasized the district’s commitment to student safety, stating that while the incident didn’t involve severe bodily harm or sexual acts, any breach of student safety is taken very seriously.
Tyler ISD Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford expressed his disappointment over the incident, calling it “appalling” and “disheartening.” He reaffirmed that the district holds its staff to the highest standards and that any violation of trust is unacceptable.
