A former teacher in Humble ISD has been charged with a third-degree felony after allegedly harming a non-verbal special education student, officials reported. Amber Latrelle Reynolds, 48, faces accusations of using undue force and giving melatonin gummies to students under her care.
Caught on the wrong side of discipline, Reynolds, according to FOX 26 Houston, was investigated by the district in September after the improper handling of a child came to light, she has since been released on a $10,000 bond, this was after an elementary school principal reported observing Reynolds using incorrect physical holds on a 5-year-old student.
The alarming claims do not halt at poor holds but extend into more abusive territory, as per court documents cited in a report by Click2Houston. Reynolds purportedly admitted to using those improper discipline methods herself and another school employee alleged Reynolds had once suggested using violence, telling her she could "take the child to the bathroom to either beat or spank him" and to "thump the child on the ear if he was not doing what he was told."
Matters escalated when, on one unfortunate day, an employee witnessed Reynolds thump the ear of a student for crying and resisting his work. This report of abuse was part of a pattern that the same employee alleged happened "on a daily basis," according to Click2Houston, allegations that starkly contrast the nurturing environment expected in educational institutions. Moreover, the student's mother noticed bruises on her son's arms, which, she asserted, were absent prior to attending school that day, fueling suspicion and concern about the child’s experiences at school.
In a statement obtained by Click2Houston, Humble ISD expressed their shock over the teacher's actions, saying, "We are appalled by the teacher’s actions," and noted both the swift action taken following the incident and continued collaboration with law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of students. The former teacher’s certification is under review by the TEA Investigations Division following the district's report of the incident.
