Teacher reassigned after allegedly breaking student's arm

(3/06/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A mother wants to know how her daughter's teacher could do something to fracture her child's arm.

That teacher has been reassigned as HISD investigates what exactly happened at Attucks Middle School in southeast Houston.

It's been a week since Kayla Smith, 12, hasn't been able to use her right arm.

"I heard the pop and when I heard it, I got scared," said Kayla.

It's broken and her mother blames Kayla's sixth grade teacher.

"I'm angry, I'm mad," said Kayla's mother, Nicole Smith. "The teacher broke my baby's arm."

HISD says the Attucks Middle School special education teacher had to use what's called a therapeutic hold on Kayla last Wednesday because she was being unruly. Kayla disputes that, but is in a special class because of behavioral problems. She says the incident happened after gym class. The teacher, she says, grabbed her arm, forcing her to her knees.

According to the teacher's union, therapeutic holds are not designed to cause injury but there's always potential. The union defends the teacher in question and hopes the school district will too.

"This is an accepted means of control of a behavior adjusted child who's out of control," said Gayle Fallon of the Houston Federation of Teachers.

The teacher has been assigned away from the school pending an investigation.

"I'm scared it might happen again," said Smith.

Kayla's mother wants more action.

"I think he should be fired," said Nicole.

An HISD spokesman says this is the first time in 10 years that he can recall a student suffering injuries from this type of hold. The district will now investigate if the teacher performed the hold correctly and if it was necessary.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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