CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A father said a student sexually assaulted his daughter, who has special needs, inside a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools classroom.
The father said a teacher’s aide didn’t notice the assault at Ranson Middle School in north Charlotte.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation, while CMS officials are conducting an administrative review.
The father, who didn’t want to be identified, said his entire family is an emotional wreck after learning of Thursday’s incident.
“You expect them to be safe at all times,” the father said. “She's terrified.”
The father said the student sexually assaulted his daughter when the teacher stepped out of the classroom.
He said the teacher's aide was in the back of the room, but apparently didn't see what was happening, and it wasn't until the teacher returned the attack was stopped.
“She thought she was in a safe place,” the father said.
A police report has been filed, but it's unclear if the juvenile student will face charges.
CMS would not comment directly on the incident because of federal privacy laws, but said in a statement: “The district would like parents to know cases of this nature are always examined thoroughly to determine all facts.”
The father said his daughter has a long road of recovery ahead of her, and won’t soon forget the assault.
“It is going to stay with her for the rest of her life,” the father said. “I know some things happen sometimes, but this is just unacceptable.”
CMS officials would not go into any specifics as to whether anyone was disciplined, but they told Channel 9 their policy is to have an adult in the classroom at all times.
Cox Media Group
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