HOUSTON – A teacher’s assistant has been removed from Houston ISD’s Patterson Elementary School after the district said allegations were made of inappropriate conduct.
KPRC 2 spoke with the parent Aliya and grandparent Yvonne who made the allegations that her 4-year-old child was sexually assaulted by the teacher’s assistant. We are not disclosing their last names to protect the identity of the child.
“She’s telling me mommy it hurts down there,” said Aliya. “She’s telling me the teacher did it."
Aliya said her daughter opened up about the incident last Friday afternoon and she made a complaint with the school the following day.
“As a parent and a grandma, it hurts because she’s only four years old. And we have to, we have to be her voice,” said Yvonne.
Aliya and Yyvonne said they met this staff member previously and there did not appear to be troubling signs.
“I actually liked her teachers. Her teachers were really nice when I met them,” said Aliya.
Houston ISD confirmed the teacher assistant’s removal and said there is an open investigation into the allegations.
"There is an open investigation following allegations of inappropriate conduct by a staff member. Anytime there are allegations of this nature, the subject is immediately removed from the campus. We take every report seriously and the allegations will be investigated thoroughly. We continue to be in contact with and provide support to family," the district said in a statement.
Because no criminal charges have been filed at this time, we are not naming the staff member.
The family said they are demanding answers.
“I want justice for my daughter. I want to know why the school hasn’t made it public, if this happened Thursday and I reported it Friday," said Aliya.
Aliya said she also opened up a case with Child Protective Services and has homeschooled her daughter.