A special education teacher from Lake Travis ISD is facing charges following allegations of injuring a 6-year-old student at Bee Cave Elementary School. According to KVUE, the teacher, Rasid Mohagheghian, was arrested after he was allegedly captured on video throwing the child to the floor and pushing a table in their direction on October 29th.
Further details provided by police reports indicate the incident was not just physical but also verbal. It is alleged that Mohagheghian yelled at the child with phrases such as "You're the devil. You need to go to church. Nobody likes you." The same video evidence appears to show him grabbing the student by the chest forcefully enough to leave behind physical marks, as reported by MSN.
After the Lake Travis ISD conducted what Superintendent Paul Norton described as "a comprehensive investigation," Mohagheghian was arrested on November 6 and has been charged with Injury to a Child — a state jail felony. Superintendent Norton announced that Mohagheghian will not be returning to his teaching duties in a letter to the community. "Please know that the alleged behavior is completely unacceptable and does not align with the District's values or our standards for professional, compassionate teaching," Norton stated.
The case has prompted concern among parents and community members over the safety protocols in place when dealing with vulnerable populations such as special needs students. The district reaffirmed its dedication to maintain, without fail, the highest standard of care and oversight, ensuring that all members of their educational family adhere strictly to the norms that breed a nurturing environment for the well-being of their students.