Texas Teacher Aides Arrested for Allegedly Locking 5-Year-Old Special Needs Boy in Isolation Room

Two Texas teachers were arrested for allegedly abusing an infant with special needs in Texas.

In mid-November, three Liberty Independent Schools District (ISD) instructors were taken into custody for alleged offenses that occurred on April 15, 2021. Tarah Michelle Tinney (33) was also charged. Augusta Danielle Costlow (27) was also charged with four counts each of abandoning or putting children in imminent danger.

All three women were booked by the Liberty County Jail and given $60,000 each.

Teachers and instructional assistants were accused of the confinement of a student with special needs to a Liberty Independent Schools District classroom. The boy, aged five years old, was denied food and began eating his own feces. He began to drink his own urine.

Reports indicate that the three instructors were responsible for the treatment and care of the young victim.

The indictment identified the victim as “R.W.,” and stated the instructors “intentionally abandoned [R.W.] in a place under circumstances that exposed [R.W.] to an unreasonable risk of harm, and under circumstances that a reasonable person would believe would place the child in imminent danger of death, bodily injury, or physical or mental impairment.”

Law & Crime reported R.W. Law & Crime reported that R.W. The law required that he deliver the child to an emergency room provider. ”

Liberty ISD spokesperson released a statement about the troubling allegations.

CPS and law enforcement received notices immediately. We immediately removed teachers from the classroom and started an extensive investigation.

KTRK-TV reported Liberty ISD spokespersons stated that assistants were placed on administrative leaves last year during the investigation. They then resigned once the investigation was completed. She was a teacher at Bonnie P. Hopper Primary school, Goose Creek CISD.

Parents were informed by officials at Hopper Primary School about the arrest on Nov. 17.

“In the interests of transparency, we would love to inform our family about an incident that occurred yesterday during dismissal. Bonnie P. Hopper Primary school teacher was arrested in Liberty County. The teacher is currently on administrative leave while the investigation is underway. The District will then take appropriate disciplinary action. Goose Creek CISD won’t comment further on the legal proceedings while they are pending. We want to assure families that our safety and security are our top priority.”