Teacher's Aides Assisted Investigators In School Abuse Arrest
Posted: 5:56 pm EST November 16, 2004Updated: 5:58 pm EST November 16, 2004
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. -- Channel 9 has learned that four teacher's aides, who were suspended, reported alleged abuse by teacher Kathy Garrett to the school. The question is when they reported it.
Kathleen Garrett An attorney representing two of the teacher's aides says it's absurd that the district suspended the employees who helped police get enough information for an arrest.
Garrett's behavior in the classroom apparently caught the attention of more than just parents. Tuesday, the school district said at least four of her aides at South Seminole Middle School complained to administrators about how Garrett treated her students. Some of them helped police gather enough information for an arrest. The district suspended all four of them Monday."We tell all of our employees that, in a situation like this, to report this to the school district or authorities as soon as it happens," says Richard Wells, Seminole County Schools. "There is a suggestion that they didn't report it right away."It appears that could have happened."It's only because these women came forward that the public is in the position to take this teacher out," says Ty Tison, attorney for Jennifer Rodriguez and Sabrina Mort, two of the teacher's aides.If an investigation determines they did not report on Garrett's alleged abusive behavior right away, the aides may never face criminal charges.It turns out that they don't have a legal obligation to contact law enforcement. The Orange County state attorney's office discovered the loophole while trying to prosecute a Kissimmee principal and human resources worker. They didn't report an abuse allegation to police, but didn't have to. Under Florida law, public school employees don't have to disclose abuse by fellow employees, even though they have to report abuse by anyone else. There is a push to change the law.But, any change in the law wouldn't impact these aides if it's determined that they didn't report abuse right away.
Previous Stories:
- November 16, 2004: Teacher Accused Of Abusing Students Submits Resignation
- November 12, 2004: Parents Say School District Ignored Warnings About Teacher
- November 11, 2004: Teacher Accused Of Abuse Worked At Five Local Schools
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