Teacher's aide charged with bruising 6-year-old student in Virginia

The boy's grandmother said both of his shoulders were "completely black and blue."
May 23, 2008
By Donna Alvis-Banks

A teacher's aide at Falling Branch Elementary School has been charged with a misdemeanor amid allegations he bruised a student.

Jesse Lamont Crutchfield, 34, of Blacksburg was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor Tuesday after a May 14 incident. The charge is punishable by a maximum of 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

The 6-year-old kindergartner at the school was in a special education class, where Crutchfield served as a teacher's aide, according to the boy's grandmother and legal custodian, Debra Long.

Long said her grandson has Hirschsprung's disease, an intestinal disorder that causes an inability to control bowel movements. Long said she had informed the school earlier in the year that the boy had special needs regarding bathroom access. Long said she had noticed that her grandson's underpants were stained with dried feces in recent weeks. Long said she received a call about 1 p.m. May 14 from a school nurse who told her that her grandson "might have a little tiny bruise on his arm because one of the teachers had to get him by the arm to get him where he was supposed to go." Long said the boy told her the aide would not allow him to go to the bathroom.

"I did not think a whole lot about it," she said, noting that she did not become concerned until her grandson was getting into his pajamas later that afternoon. When he removed his shirt, she said "both of his shoulders were completely black and blue."

Long said she called the Christiansburg Police Department that evening. Police spokesman Barry O'Rourke could not be reached for comment Thursday.

"The school saw pictures of my grandson. The school board saw the pictures, also," Long said. "I went down to the school this past Monday and he [Crutchfield] was still there." Long said she is furious that the aide was allowed to remain at the school after the incident. She said she was told that he had been assigned to another classroom.

Mark Pasier, human resources director for Montgomery County schools, confirmed Thursday that Crutchfield had submitted his resignation, effective for the next school year. He said the aide, paid $9.70 per hour, had worked for the school system since August 2006.

He would not say if Crutchfield was on paid leave but did say the school was working with authorities on the matter. Pasier said he could not comment further on a personnel matter.

Falling Branch Principal Julie Vanidestine sent a letter home with students Wednesday in reference to "an incident that is a personnel matter." She said in the letter that she could not comment for that reason.

Someone answering phones at the school said Crutchfield was not there Thursday.