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6-Year-Old Autistic Student Criminally Charged After Alleged Assault

Reported by: Lance Barry

Photographed by: Garrison

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story...a-52c47e6bd24f

A six-year-old autistic boy has been charged criminally after an

incident inside his school where he allegedly assaulted a teacher's

aide.

It's a story you saw first on 9News.

The incident happened earlier this month at Elementary School

in ville, Ky., located in Bracken County.

He is in kindergarten at Elementary, but 9News was told that

due to his autism and other conditions, his mental capacity is the

equivalent to a child half his age.

But despite that condition and his age, it still hasn't stopped a

school employee there from holding him accountable: criminally.

Whether it's playing outside with his parents, or coloring SpongeBob

Squarepants pictures, Darnell isn't much different than other

kids his age.

But two things that do make him different from many other six-year-

olds is his autism – and his criminal rap sheet.

" We are not denying that he did what they are saying, but we are

denying he is culpable, " said Tony Darnell, 's father.

It was just last week when 's teacher's aide, Glenda Schiltz,

filed a juvenile fourth degree misdemeanor assault charge against him.

" What human being with a heart would do that to a six-year old?,

asked Darnell, 's mother. " Seriously, who would do that?

I know I wouldn't. "

According to the affidavit which 9News obtained, Schiltz alleges that

on September 5, grabbed her by the shirt, pulled her backwards

and began punching and kicking her.

" He admits to shoving her down, but he says he didn't pull her

backwards, " said Tony Darnell.

" She is no small person, she can defend herself, " said Darnell.

So what does the school have to say about the matter?

Superintendent of Bracken County Schools Tony would not

appear on camera but did say in a statement, " I believe we followed

proper procedures and I have full faith in my staff " .

Despite being autistic, is integrated with all kindergartners

at Elementary.

His parents believe Schiltz and other teachers there are ill-prepared

to handle special needs students.

His mother openly questions Schiltz's credentials.

" [she believes] you need to take him behind the woodshed and teach

him something, " Darnell, said. " That is her mentality, beat it

out of him. "

" Most of the time it ['s behavior] is whining and screaming. I

am sure that is hard on teachers and stuff, but we find a way to deal

with it, " said Tony Darnell.

On Wednesday the family went to the county courthouse, where an

inquiry was held and it was decided the criminal case against

will indeed move forward.

It's likely then that Schiltz will have to be there.

But until they get a chance to tell her personally, 's family,

in the meantime, does have something they want to say to her.

" She is a cold-hearted woman, that she has made every teacher look

bad, " said Darnell.

Repeated attempts to contact Glenda Schiltz were unsuccessful.

9News also was in communication with several school board members and

none wanted to comment on the matter.

This is all heading to a proceeding scheduled for next week in which

six-year-old will appear in juvenile court as a defendant.