Phoenix teacher accused of assaulting special needs student
Feb 28, 2019, 6:25 AM | Updated: 11:24 am
(Google Maps photo)
(Google Maps photo)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix special needs teacher has been charged with assaulting a student with autism for allegedly pushing a pencil down the back of his pants last year.
Victoria Biddle Martin, 56, was charged with aggravated assault, a class 6 felony, by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office on Feb. 22, according to court documents.
The alleged incident occurred last November in the Justine Spitalny Elementary School library and was reported to police by the librarian in December.
The probable cause statement said Martin admitted to briefly sliding the eraser end of a pencil into the 10-year-old boy’s exposed “butt crack,” calling it an error in judgment.
The librarian said it happened twice.
The Cartwright School District notified parents of the incident at the school near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road in a Wednesday letter, according to ABC15.
Interim Superintendent Dr. LeeAnn Aguilar Lawlor’s letter said there was an incident “surrounding a teacher in which police were involved,” but she could not specifically address it because of a human resources matter.
“We want you to know that we value each and every student in the Cartwright School District,” the letter read in part.
“The safety of our children is paramount and we have systems in place to protect our students at all times while they are in our care.”
