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Reports Finds Discrimination in Montana Abuse Case

By Beacon Staff

GREAT FALLS – Montana’s Human Rights Bureau says a 13-year-old autistic boy’s rights were violated when two teacher’s aides allegedly placed his head under water after he dozed off in class.

The bureau issued a report this week saying there is “reasonable cause” to believe unlawful discrimination in education occurred based on the boy’s disability.

Great Falls Public Schools Superintendent Cheryl Crawley says the district “makes every effort not to be discriminatory.”

Former North Middle School paraprofessionals Julie Parish and Kristi Kallies are both charged with a felony count of assault on a minor and a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of children.

Reports of the alleged abuse surfaced last spring. Both women have denied wrongdoing.