Special education teacher throws table at 6-year-old, calls him ‘the devil,’ TX cops say
A special education teacher dragged a 6-year-old student into a classroom and abused him, leaving the child bruised, Texas police said.
Rashid Mohagheghian, a 42-year-old teacher at Bee Cave Elementary School in Austin, was seen on video hitting the child and calling him “the devil” on Oct. 22, according to court documents filed on Nov. 7.
Attorney information for Mohagheghian was not listed.
In a statement to families shared with McClatchy News, the school district said the teacher was placed on administrative leave.
Video showed the teacher shoving the child to the ground and throwing a table at him, according to court documents.
The child moved to avoid being hit by the piece of furniture, police said, but the teacher continued the abuse.
“You need to go to church, nobody likes you,” Mohagheghian told the 6-year-old, according to an affidavit.
The 6-year-old approached Mohagheghian, who was sitting in a chair by the classroom door, police said. The teacher grabbed the child’s chest, causing a “palm strike” bruise, the affidavit said.
The teacher’s force tore the student’s shirt and left fingernail marks on his body, according to court documents. The 6-year-old also said he was in pain as a result of the abuse, according to police.
Mohagheghian was arrested and charged with injury to a child, according to court documents. He is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 26.
This story was originally published November 11, 2024 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Special education teacher throws table at 6-year-old, calls him ‘the devil,’ TX cops say."
