A Guthrie Junior High teacher will soon be charged with assault on a student. That teacher is expected to appear voluntarily before a district court judge on March 1 to be formally served with the charges.
Logan County District Attorney Laura Austin Thomas says she has filed the charge of assault and battery upon a student against Patricia Elizabeth Catlin, in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred at Guthrie Junior High School.
Catlin is a special education teacher at the school. Related story: Court papers: Teacher denies assault on special needs student
The charges have been filed as the result of an investigation conducted by the Guthrie Police Department. The charge alleges that on January 25, the accused teacher assaulted and battered a twelve-year-old special education student, who was attending class at the Junior High.
The victim has severely limited abilities to verbally communicate and physical disabilities resulting from cerebral palsy. The affidavit for arrest warrant prepared by School Resource Officer Anthony Gibbs states that other school employees and students observed the interaction and reported their observations to school administrators.
“I and this office take criminal offenses committed against the most vulnerable of our citizens very seriously. Our most vulnerable, so many times, depend upon us and others to watch out for and protect them. We will not tolerate those crimes,” Thomas said.
According to her bio on the school’s website, Caitlin has taught in Guthrie for eight years.
Be the first to comment on "Junior High teacher accused of assault on special education student"