Teacher’s aide accused of assaulting 6-year-old with seizure condition: Police

A 44-year-old teaching assistant at an elementary school in Louisiana is accused of attacking a seizure-prone 6-year-old with special needs in a classroom incident reportedly recorded on video.

Marsha Ernest was arrested last month, facing a charge of simple battery of the infirm related to the alleged event at E.E. Lyon Elementary School in Covington, located roughly 40 miles from New Orleans.

The inquiry was initiated when the Covington Police Department responded to a school incident report on March 12, as noted by The Advocate. reported.

At first, the police did not release specifics, but later, the child's family shared that authorities reviewed classroom footage leading to the arrest.

The girl's parents spoke to New Orleans Fox affiliate WVUE about the situation, explaining that their daughter, who is epileptic and part of a special education program, was the alleged victim. 

They also explained investigators viewed video evidence of Ernest pushing the girl into a chair and holding her wrists against a desk.

The child's mother mentioned she became aware of the issue when her daughter's teacher notified her, according to New Orleans NBC affiliate WDSU. 

She approached the school officials with her concerns, prompting police contact after they reviewed the video footage.

"You count on the school to keep your child safe, but that trust was violated," expressed the child's parents to WVUE. "Our daughter, who has epilepsy and is enrolled in special education, relies on adults for care and protection. Unfortunately, she was put at risk."

They continued: "When harm comes to a child — especially a vulnerable one — immediate action should be taken. That was not the case here."

The authorities have yet to release a detailed description of the video or events.

In communication with WDSU, Deputy Police Chief Kevin Collins confirmed the arrest of a school employee related to an on-campus incident, noting that further details are being withheld to preserve the investigation's integrity.

The school district officials acknowledged awareness of the investigation but avoided discussing Ernest’s employment status, citing privacy regarding personnel matters.