Incident With Autistic Student Costs Teacher Job

[Guest guest]

http://wcbstv.com/topstories/teacher.arrested.autistic.2.903463.html

Jan 8, 2009 4:42 pm US/Eastern

Incident With Autistic Student Costs Teacher Job

Conn. Cops: 30-Year Veteran Arrested After Allegedly Forcing 6-Year-

Old To Take Off Shirt In Front Of ClassFAIRFIELD, Conn. (CBS) ¯

A Connecticut teacher was charged with cruelty Thursday after

allegations she forced an autistic student to take off her shirt

during class.

The incident allegedly happened at Fairfield's Dwight Elementary

School in October.

Police said the 6-year-old girl was fixated with the striped pattern

on her shirt. That's when the teacher -- 53-year-old

Valeriay -- told the girl to remove her shirt in front of the

classroom.

Police said Valeriay told them she had been taught to verbally

redirect students and remove distractions when they get distracted.

The teacher, a 30 year veteran, was arrested this week after a police

investigation.

" There was no evidence of any molestation or of any inappropriate

behavior with that regard, " Fairfield Police Department Capt.

Comers said. " It was merely the removal of the shirt of this 6-year-

old. "

The Fairfield Schools superintendent would only say the teacher is no

longer employed for the district.