COWETA COUNTY, Ga. — A Coweta County teacher’s aide accused of locking a student with special needs in the bathroom says she’s innocent.
The child’s mother says the woman told the pre-K student “monsters” were going to get her.
“This was not an appropriate measure,” said Coweta County schools spokesman Dean Jackson.
School system officials say paraprofessional Tyffany Bonilla no longer works for the district, as of Monday. Newnan police confirm she is under investigation but not charged with a crime. %
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According to the police incident report, the girl’s mother told an investigator Bonilla attempted to discipline her daughter at Welch Elementary School by locking her in a dark bathroom and saying “monsters” were going to get her. School district officials say the teacher’s aide put the girl in the restroom twice earlier this month.
“That’s inappropriate and certainly something that we don’t condone,” said Jackson.
The girl’s mother told police she’s been wetting the bed and having nightmares since this happened.
Parents told Channel 2’s Rikki Klaus they love Welch Elementary and there’s no room for that type of behavior there.
“Obviously, that wasn’t the right approach to take. We don’t condone that, but it’s a great school,” said parent T.J. Kish.
Bonilla’s attorney released a statement saying she maintains her innocence.
The statement from The Firm for Justice & Liberty says “Ms. Bonilla maintains her innocence regarding any allegations, specifically, cruelty to children and respectfully requests that she not be tried and convicted in the media. She has served her school district and community with integrity, passion and honor. Our client will fight vigorously to defend against these accusations and believes that justice will prevail.”
Bonilla has not been charged. The school district and police continue to investigate her actions.