A Mercedes teacher’s aide is facing criminal charges after he allegedly hurt a 6-year-old boy in the classroom.
Mercedes police charged 31-year-old Jose Palomo on a injury to a child charge.
Investigators said it all happened at the Mercedes Early Childhood Center.
Police said Palomo allegedly waited until the teacher left the classroom to physically hurt the child.
Mercedes Police Chief Olga Maldonado spoke to Action 4 News about the investigation.
“The child claims that apparently when the teacher would not be in the room is when these incidents would occur,” Chief Maldonado. “The child reported this on the third to his mom, and apparently it was true that the teacher was not in the classroom when this incident occurred.”
According to Palomo's lawyer Carlos E. Ortegon, the truth of these allegations is “distorted.”
Ortegon said he will be taking this matter to the Hidalgo County District Attorney's Office.
"As his defense attorney, I'm going to further investigate this matter and that's why I did not want my client to comment,” Ortegon said.
Under state law, injury to a child is a second-degree felony punishable two and ten years in prison and/or a $10,000 dollar fine.
A municipal judge gave Palomo a $50,000 dollar bond.
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