Boy, 9, has non-verbal autism, affidavit says

By Josh Mitchell

Corinth Today News Editor

An ex-teacher assistant at Alcorn Central Elementary School on Tuesday in justice court pleaded no contest to a simple assault charge involving a minor.

Remonda Dale Ellis, 49, appeared before Alcorn County Justice Court Judge Steve Little.

The charge is a misdemeanor.

Ellis was ordered to pay a fine of about $1,315, and a 30-day sentence was suspended, according to the justice court. Ellis’ attorney declined comment to Corinth Today shortly after she pleaded no contest Tuesday.

The affidavit charged that on May 9 Ellis caused or attempted to cause “bodily injury” to a 9-year-old boy “who is disabled with non-verbal autism . . .” It also charged that Ellis struck the boy “twice with an open hand during special education class at Alcorn Central Elementary School where Ellis is employed as a teacher’s assistant.”

Ellis’ 14 years of employment with the district ended shortly after the incident. Numerous people were in court Tuesday morning in support of Ellis, and others have spoken highly of her character on social media.

The boy’s father told an investigator that Ellis struck the child after his son got upset when he was put into the corner during class, the sheriff’s office incident report states. The father said his son was struck once on the left cheek, causing a “possible bruise,” the incident report adds.

The boy then became more upset and “attempted to defend himself,” which resulted in Ellis striking him on the back side with her hand, the sheriff’s office report states. Two other special education teachers were in the classroom and “witnessed the incident take place,” the report says.

The school principal contacted the boy’s father, and Ellis was sent home for the day. The father then pursued charges.