Special needs worker at Flowertown Elementary charged after alleged assault on student

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – A former special needs worker at a Dorchester District 2 school has been charged with Cruelty to Children after allegedly assaulting a special needs student.

Patricia Harris, 60, was employed as an Adult Support worker in the special needs classroom at Flowertown Elementary. The victim is autistic and non-verbal.

According to an incident report from the Summerville Police Department, a school resource officer (SRO) was contacted regarding an incident inside a special needs classroom. The SRO watched surveillance video that purports to show Harris using force with the victim.

The officer said they observed Harris “swatting” at the victim, who was standing and shaking a piece of paper – which is when the victim received two scratches to the chin. Harris was also seen grabbing the victim by their shirt and aggressively sitting them down in a chair. Harris reported she also had a paper cut, under her left eye, according to the report.

Harris escorted the victim and herself to the nurse’s office for treatment. In a written statement, the nurse stated that she, too, observed Harris using force when showing her the victim’s scratches.

According to the report, Harris told the officer the victim gets frustrated when having to do certain coursework and will attack others for no reason. She said the victim cut themself and her with the paper and that she was attempting to stop the victim from hurting themself or others at the time. Harris added she could not physically cause harm to the victim because she has arthritis in both hands.

In the report, the school’s principal said Harris did not follow the school district’s proper protocol for responding to any aggressive attack or motion from a student.

The principal was advised to send Harris home as per instruction from the Dorchester District 2 office, she was not to return until told otherwise.

Dorchester District 2 officials confirmed to News 2 on Friday that Harris was no longer employed by the district, adding the safety of students remains their top priority.