(WWJ) A paraprofessional at Forest Park Elementary school in Eastpointe has been charged with assault and battery after allegedly hitting a first grade student with a shoe.
The Macomb County Prosecutor's office filed the charge against Kimberley Horen after receiving evidence from police on Thursday. The incident was reported by a parent last October.
Investigators say Horen allegedly took the shoe off of a student, 6, who is autistic, and then hit the child on the head with it.
An internal investigation by the school led to Horen's resignation, but police were contacted.
"As a trusted educator, the defendant had a responsibility to provide a safe and focused learning environment for students. Instead, she violated that trust," Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido said in a statement. "This behavior is unacceptable, and we are committed to pursuing justice to ensure that such misconduct has no place in our schools."
Assault and battery is a misdemeanor and has a top penalty of 93 days in jail.