The job of a teacher's aide is not only to help the teacher, but also to provide extra assistance to students in the classroom.
But according to Mercedes police, one teacher's aide at Mercedes Early Childhood Center was far from helpful, but rather abusive.
"The child made an outcry or an allegation that apparently one of the paraprofessionals had assaulted him,” said Mercedes Police Chief Olga Maldonado. “He did have visible injury to the hand and to one of the legs."
The child says that the suspect, 31-year-old Jose Palomo, physically injured him on multiple occasions.
Once, the teacher's aide allegedly told the six-year-old to hold out his hand, so he could give him a dollar.
Instead, he allegedly gave him a stab in his hand with a sharp, needle-like object.
The child also had bruises on his legs, where he said occurred when the suspect allegedly kicked him and pushed him to the floor.
"The child claims that apparently when the teacher would not be in the room is when these incidents would occur,” said Chief Maldonado. “The child reported this 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, his client was never left alone in the classroom, and says he will be taking this matter to the district attorney's office.
"This is a very isolated incident,” said Palomo’s defense attorney Carlos E. Ortegon. “But in addition, this child, from my knowledge through my client, is a little bit of a slow learner. I don't know if it's a special needs child, but the truth may be being distorted here.
Dr. Daniel Trevino, Superintendent of Mercedes ISD, released a statement concerning the incident.
It said the district strives to keep all students in a safe and secure environment, and will take immediate and appropriate action on any situation that involves allegations of the improper treatment of students.
The district has recently terminated the employee.
Dr. Trevino says they will continue to take proper action as deemed necessary.
Palomo is facing injury to a child charges and could face between two and ten years in prison.
He is currently behind bars at the Hidalgo County jail on a $50,000 bond.
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