Three assistant teachers at Arthur Ashe Charter School in New Orleans are facing charges for allegedly locking a non-verbal autistic child in a closet, according to the New Orleans Police Department. The accused, Monette Marie Angelain, Jenea Cionne Gordon, and Patrice Denise Ancar, have each been charged with one count of cruelty to a juvenile. WWLTV reported that Angelain has surrendered to police, and Gordon and Ancar have communicated their intention to do the same.
The incident was uncovered last month by school staff, who immediately removed the teachers and contacted law enforcement. Sabrina Pence, CEO of FirstLine Schools, which operates Arthur Ashe, confirmed to NOLA.com that the school will hold staff training for employees working with students with disabilities.
Ancar’s attorney, Aubrey Harris, told WDSU that the allegations against her client were incorrect. Harris stated that Ancar and the student were in a restroom for 13 seconds to retrieve a laptop, the door was not locked, and the student was able to leave freely. Ancar voluntarily surrendered to authorities on Monday. All three teachers have been fired, and the NOPD has provided updates on the charges each faces.
