Marion County teacher's aide accused of pushing special-needs child suspended

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A Marion County teacher's aide is accused of mistreating two students with special needs.

The district suspended Dawn Morris for 20 days for allegedly grabbing and pushing a 4-year-old boy, and it’s not the first time Morris has been in trouble with the district.

Morris said she didn't do anything wrong and believes the allegations are part of a coworker’s attempt to get rid of her.

The district said a month-long suspension is rare, and so severe, that it had to go before the full school board for approval.

Channel 9 obtained the documents detailing the accusations at Harbour View Elementary School.

The records said Morris, "Grabbed the child forcefully by his arm, flung him in front of her, and then pushed him forcefully against the wall.”

The documents said she did it because the student didn't move for a cafeteria worker in April.

The 4-year-old special needs student "cried out in pain," according to documents, and a cashier reprimanded Morris for the way she was treating the child.

Morris said she's appealing the school board's 20-day suspension, which started last week.

“I'm innocent. I love my kids and this is a shame that this is a happening to a lot of people all over Marion County,” she said.

Records show Morris was suspended for five days in December for pulling a special needs student by the hair.

She's appealing that decision too.

Neither student was seriously injured.

Channel 9 asked the school district why Morris wasn't removed from the classroom after the first accusation.

“Because she is part of a collective bargaining unit, there's a very specific process that is spelled out in that agreement, and every step must be taken,” said Marion County Public School spokesperson, Kevin Christian. “Every step must be documented.”

The district said Morris was hired in 2006 and had no major problems before this year.

The paraprofessional plans to work at a different school next year, but the district said Morris would first have to finish serving her suspension, which is without pay.

The district said administrators did not believe the alleged actions warranted firing Morris.

The district also said that the Department of Children and Families and police decided not to investigate either case.

An appeal hearing has not yet been set.

Cox Media Group