Clark County School District Teacher Arrested for Alleged Physical Assault on Special Needs Student

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
07/11/2023 22h23

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) - A Clark County School District teacher, Yolanda Gallman, 64, has been arrested and faces felony charges of child abuse/neglect and abuse of a vulnerable person. The charges stem from an incident where Gallman allegedly "violently pushed" an 11-year-old special needs student after forcibly removing her from the classroom.

The incident, which occurred on November 3 at West Preparatory Academy at Charles I. West Hall, was captured on the school's security camera and witnessed by a campus security monitor and another student who happened to be in the hallway at the time.

Police documents state that the video footage shows Gallman grabbing the girl near her neck, dragging her out of the classroom, and dropping her belongings on the hallway floor. She then hurriedly closed the door, leaving the student outside. The footage further captures the girl attempting to reenter the classroom by pulling and knocking on the door. In response, the student removed Gallman's nameplate from the door and began playing with it.

According to the arrest report, Gallman later opened the door and forcefully pushed the girl with an open right hand, causing her to be propelled across the hallway and land on the floor. The student, who suffers from severe mental and psychotic disorders as well as learning disabilities, did not complain of any injuries or pain.

After the incident, the assistant principal contacted Child Protective Services and informed the Las Vegas Metropolitan police. When Gallman was interviewed by the police, she initially refused to discuss any physical force used. However, she later admitted to pushing the child into the hallway twice after being informed that the incident was recorded on video.

Gallman has been released on her own recognizance but has been ordered to stay away from the school and children. Her case is scheduled for a status check in court on December 4.

The Clark County School District is known for its commitment to the safety and well-being of its students. The incident has raised concerns among parents and administrators about the treatment of special needs students and the need for increased training and support for teachers working with this vulnerable population.

The Clark County School District has assured parents and the community that they are taking the matter seriously and are cooperating fully with the investigation. The safety and welfare of all students remain their top priority, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if the allegations against Gallman are substantiated.

As the legal proceedings continue, it is expected that further details will emerge regarding the incident and the potential impact on both the teacher and the student involved. The Clark County School District will be closely monitoring the situation and providing necessary support to all parties affected.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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