Two school workers caught on camera abusing nonverbal students, Missouri cops say

Two school workers are accused of assaulting three elementary-aged students with autism, Missouri police say.

The special needs classroom assistants now face fourth-degree assault charges following the March 25 incidents caught on camera at the Academy of Innovation at Remington, according to the Maryland Heights Police Department.

As the students were in the school’s gym, Charnita Thomas was seen holding a 7-year-old boy by his forearm and shoving him to the floor, according to police.

“Thomas is also seen shoving him into a closet, blocking him in and shoving him back in the closet when he attempts to crawl out,” police said.

Later, Thomas approached a 5-year-old girl and pulled her arm for around 40 feet to a wall, according to court documents obtained by McClatchy News. .

Angelette Boleyjack Calhoun, who police said was present for the alleged assaults involving Thomas, is accused of abusing a separate 7-year-old, the charging documents say.

The child was playing on a scooter when Boleyjack Calhoun “shoved him to the ground,” police said. She then kicked the scooter away from the boy twice.

Each of the three students accused of being assaulted have autism and are nonverbal, police said.

In a statement to KSDK, Pattonville School District Superintendent Barry Nelson said they immediately called police when they learned of the alleged actions against Boleyjack-Calhoun and Thomas. They were placed on administrative leave.

The district said it is “deeply troubled by” the allegations.

“While all staff must undergo extensive background checks and participate in annual training, we are concerned when allegations of this nature occur,” the district said in its statement, also obtained by KMOV. “Our schools are places where students should always feel safe, and we take any allegation of staff misconduct very seriously.”

The Academy of Innovation at Remington is a kindergarten through eighth-grade school described as “innovative” on its website.

Maryland Heights is about a 20-mile drive northwest from St. Louis.

This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 9:32 AM with the headline "Two school workers caught on camera abusing nonverbal students, Missouri cops say."