A 44-year-old paraprofessional at an elementary school in Covington, Louisiana, faces charges of simple battery after allegedly throwing a 6-year-old girl with epilepsy into a chair and pinning her wrists. The incident, captured on classroom video, prompted police to arrest Marsha Ernest last month. The child's parents have removed her from the school and demanded better protections.
Marsha Ernest, a paraprofessional at E.E. Lyon Elementary School in Covington, about 40 miles north of New Orleans, was arrested on charges of simple battery of the infirm. Covington police responded to a call at the school on March 12 and reviewed classroom video that showed the alleged attack on the 6-year-old girl enrolled in special education, according to her parents who spoke to WVUE and WDSU affiliates in New Orleans. The footage depicted Ernest throwing the child into a chair and pinning her wrists to a desk, the family said. The mother first learned of the issue from the girl's teacher and alerted administrators before pressing charges after police review of the video. Ernest was booked into St. Tammany Parish jail, posted $5,000 bond and was released on March 16. She is due back in court on June 24. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Collins confirmed the arrest of a school employee but withheld details to protect the case. School district officials acknowledged the investigation but declined comment on Ernest's employment due to confidentiality. The parents stated to WVUE, 'You trust that when you send your child to school, they will be safe. That trust was broken.' They added that their daughter, who has epilepsy, 'deserved to be protected' and they are speaking out to prevent recurrence. The incident follows a new Louisiana law requiring cameras in special education classrooms and additional staff training on restraints.