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6-Year-Old Autistic Student Criminally Charged
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A six-year-old autistic boy has been charged criminally after anincident inside his school where he allegedly assaulted a teacher's aide.The incident happened earlier this month at Taylor Elementary Schoolin Brooksville, Ky., located in Bracken County.He is in kindergarten at Taylor Elementary, but 9News was told thatdue to his autism and other conditions, his mental capacity is theequivalent 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 SpongeBobSquarepants pictures, Nathan Darnell isn't much different than other kidshis age.But two things that do make him different from many othersix-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, Nathan's father.It was just last week when Nathan's teacher's aide, Glend 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 Cathy Darnell, Nathan's mother. "Seriously, who would do that? I know Iwouldn't."According to the affidavit which 9News obtained, Schiltz alleges thato n September 5, Nathan 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 herbackwards," said Tony Darnell."She is no small person, she can defend herself," said Cathy Darnell.So what does the school have to say about the matter?Superintendent of Bracken County Schools Tony Johnson would not appearon camera but did say in a statement, "I believe we followed proper procedures and I have full faith in my staff".Despite being autistic, Nathan is integrated with all kindergartners at Taylor Elementary.His parents believe Schiltz and other teachers there are ill-preparedto handle special needs students.His mother openly questions Schiltz's credentials."[She believes] you need to take him behind the woodshed and teach himsomething," Cathy Darnell, said. "That is her mentality, beat it out of him.""Most of the time it [Nathan's behavior] is whining and screaming. Iam sure that is hard on teachers and stuff, but we find a way to deal withit," said Tony Darnell.On Wednesday the family went to the county courthouse, where aninquiry was held and it was decided the criminal case against Nathan willindeed move forward.It's likely then that Schiltz will have to be there.But until they get a chance to tell her personally, Nathan'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 lookbad," said Cathy Darnell.Repeated attempts to contact Glenda Schiltz were unsuccessful.9News also was in communication with several school board members andnone wanted to comment on the matter.This is all heading to a proceeding scheduled for next week in whichsix-year-old Nathan will appear in juvenile court as a defendant. |
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