North Richland Hills therapist accused of assaulting autistic 7-year-old boy

NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas - Police in Tarrant County are seeking to arrest a therapist accused of injuring a 7-year-old autistic boy at a behavioral therapy center. The incident reportedly took place on June 20 at the ABA Interactive Therapy Center. The child's parents, initially told that their non-verbal son had injured himself during a behavioral episode, were shocked when video evidence contradicted this claim. The footage, which was initially withheld, was eventually provided by an employee, revealing troubling actions by the therapist. According to North Richland Hills police, the video shows the therapist, who had worked at the center for a few years, allegedly mishandling the child. Family attorney Wesley Gould described the footage, stating, "This teacher picked this poor boy up by his collar, slammed him into a wall while stepping over another autistic child." He further alleged that the therapist's hands were close to the child's neck, causing visible marks, contrary to the explanation given by the center that the boy had scratched himself. The police have not released the therapist's name but have issued a warrant for her arrest. The North Richland Hills Police Department, represented by spokesperson Sarah Chilutti, expressed deep concern over the incident, noting the vulnerability of the victim. "It's extremely upsetting. The victim is just such a vulnerable child, nonetheless, non-verbal. So it is something that we intend to fully investigate and do everything we can to bring justice for this family," Chilutti stated. The boy's father discovered the alleged abuse when he picked his son up from the center and was informed of the supposed self-harm. Unsatisfied with this explanation, the family pursued further clarification. The video evidence that later emerged led to a lawsuit filed by the family, alleging that the boy was mistreated by the therapist. This evidence has prompted a broader investigation into the therapy center, with authorities examining other unreported claims of misconduct. Chilutti urged any others with relevant information to come forward, emphasizing the importance of preventing such incidents from happening to other children. The impact on the young boy has been profound, with his parents observing a significant change in his behavior since the incident. "He's afraid to go new places, meet new people, and we don't know how that's going to affect him for the rest of his life," Gould explained. The family is hopeful for the child's recovery but acknowledges the challenging journey ahead. As the investigation continues, the police and legal representatives remain committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the affected child receives the support he needs to recover from this traumatic experience. The therapy center is now under scrutiny, and authorities are determined to ensure the safety and well-being of all children in such care facilities.