Tennessee elementary school employee accused of abusing special ed students

From WSMV-TV:

GALLATIN, Tenn. -- A local school employee is off the job, accused of abusing special education students at an elementary school.

"It appears that it may have been a pattern," said Sgt. Bill Storment.

What may or may not have happened in a special education classroom at Station Camp Elementary School (pictured) is now at the center of a police investigation.

Someone stepped forward last month and alerted the school of concerns a female employee mentally and physically abused special education students.

The school, in turn, told police.

"(The) Sumner County Board of Education is aware of the investigation and is cooperating with us," said Storment. "And I don't know that they've determined how many children may be involved.

Right now, police also can't identify the woman or specifically describe the accusations. Storment said he can't go into detail.

Police said the students are OK. But because they live with special needs, they're not able to provide much help to investigators.

"They are vulnerable children, yes," said Storment.

It's not clear whether the accusations center on discipline or something worse, but police do have other witnesses they said they believe will help them get to the bottom of it.

"I would be of the opinion this type of behavior was unusual and probably rather harsh," Storment said.

Police haven't arrested or charged the employee. The Sumner County school district wouldn't say much concerning the school employee's name, job title or history, but the district's spokesman said he's not aware of other complaints against her.

For now, though, she's off the job, suspended without pay.

According to police, the investigation is moving quickly and could wrap up within the next week.