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GREENSBORO, N.C. — Greensboro mother Tia Bridges said she couldn’t believe it when she found out her son was assaulted at school.
“I snatched him out of there as soon as I heard and as soon as I figured out what was going on,” Bridges said. “I let them know he will not be coming back here.”
Bridges removed her second-grade son, Zaylen, from Foust Elementary after investigators said a now-former teaching assistant, Chelsea Parker, hit him on the head with an open palm several times.
Zaylen has autism and is nonverbal.
“As a parent, you are their voice, you are their ears, you are their everything to them,” Bridges said.
Bridges does not have any photos of Zaylen’s injuries, but WFMY News 2 met other Foust Elementary parents who shared photos they claim show similar situations involving their children.
Adding to the frustration, Bridges said communication from the district has been lacking. The incident happened last October. The case was filed last month and Parker was arrested June 1.
“I think it’s crazy that I wasn’t told right away,” Bridges said. “I think it’s crazy that somebody else was able to go report this and I get no calls. I still haven’t gotten a call from the school.”
Bridges is trying to focus on the positives.
“Hopefully better things now that he’s in another school,” Bridges said. “He’s actually doing a lot better. He seems a lot happier.”
She also has a message for other parents.
“Just make sure you’re up on game when it comes to this because nobody really speaks for disabled people, period,” Bridges said.
And for educators working with children like her son:
“You just shouldn’t be putting your hands on anybody,” Bridges said. “If you can’t take the heat, then get out the kitchen.”
Chelsea Parker is charged with misdemeanor assault on a child under 12. She is scheduled to appear in court July 1.
