FILLMORE, Utah — A special education instructional assistant, who investigators say was assigned to the severe special education department, has been arrested after she allegedly struck an 8-year-old student multiple times.
Melissa Diane Davis, 56, was arrested Thursday and faces a charge of abuse or neglect of a child with a disability. She has also been fired from her position.
According to court documents, the incident that started the investigation happened on Tuesday. Deputies were shown a video from that day, allegedly showing Davis hitting the student multiple times in the arm, torso, and possibly the head.
The student, detectives were told, is considered a non-verbal student and has multiple disabilities, both physical and psychological. Davis was assigned to the student due to their need for constant supervision.
Witnesses told investigators that before the incident, they heard Davis tell the student that if he struck her, she would strike him back. Deputies report in court documents that in the video they were shown, you can see the student hit Davis on the arm before she struck him several times.
Another witness told deputies that Davis had struck the student multiple times prior to the incident.
The Millard School District released the following statement on the arrest:
Millard School District has terminated the employment of an instructional assistant at Fillmore Elementary School following a serious incident involving a student.
Upon learning of the incident, District administration immediately initiated an investigation. After reviewing the available information and interviewing the parties involved, it was determined that immediate termination of employment was the only appropriate course of action.
Due to the nature of the incident, local law enforcement has been notified and is actively involved. As this remains an ongoing investigation, the District will not be providing additional details at this time.
To protect the privacy and well-being of the student involved- as well as the privacy rights of the former employee- no further identifying information will be released.
Millard School District continually reviews and strengthens its procedures and staff training to ensure the highest standards of student safety and care. The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority, and the District remains firmly committed to maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
