Special ed aide pinched NLV student with Down syndrome, police say

An elementary school special education teacher assistant has been arrested for pinching the armpit of a non-verbal student with Down syndrome, according to an arrest report.

The Clark County School District Police Department arrested Lisa Harris, 65, on Monday in connection with the alleged incident Friday at Perkins Elementary School in North Las Vegas. She faces one felony charge of child abuse or neglect and one gross misdemeanor charge of abuse of a vulnerable person, online court records show.

Harris has been a school district employee since October 2000, the district said in an email.

A witness at Perkins Elementary told police she saw Harris approach the student in the school’s cafeteria around 2:10 p.m. Friday and use two fingers to pinch him in his right armpit, the report said. Video surveillance from inside the cafeteria appeared to show Harris lean in close to the special needs student and reach under his right armpit area, according to the report.

“Immediately afterward, (the student) reacts by moving his right arm in a manner consistent with a pain response,” the arrest report said.

The student’s mother told police her son had bruising under his right arm, the report said, consistent with the area described by the witness.

In an interview with police, Harris said the boy had removed his shoes as he was supposed to board his school bus, according to the report. Harris told police she instructed the boy to put his shoes back on, the report said, but he refused and attempted to run away.

Harris then said she guided the boy back into a seated position, according to the report. Harris initially stated she never touched the student, but later told police she “grabbed him,” the report said.

Online court records show Harris’ felony arraignment is scheduled for May 28.