Colorado State Police say they have charged a library media teacher with child abuse after obtaining a video of a man choking a 6-year-old student outside the school.
Greeley police said they were informed of the incident by administrators at Greeley-Evans School District 6 on Aug. 30. The district placed 40-year-old Joshua David Wainscott on administrative leave after learning about the allegations.
Affidavit Obtained According to KDVR-TV, Wainscott was caught on video choking the child outside Maplewood Elementary School. Officers said students were lined up outside the school when Wainscott grabbed the child by the neck and dragged him inside.
The student reportedly told police that he tried to kick to get out of the headlock, and the teacher tightened his grip, causing the student to have difficulty breathing.
Officers said they attempted to speak with Wainscott but he refused to make a statement. He was arrested at his home on September 11th.
The teacher was charged with a felony count of second-degree assault on a child and a misdemeanor count of child abuse.
KDVR also obtained a letter sent to parents of students at the school explaining Wainscott's arrest.
“The Sixth District immediately contacted law enforcement, who conducted an investigation. Under state and federal law, individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” the letter read.
Wainscott had worked at the school for 14 years, according to the school district.
“The safety and security of our students and staff is always our number one priority. We take these allegations extremely seriously and deeply regret any emotional or physical harm caused to any children in our care,” it added.
Greeley is a city of approximately 108,000 people located about 60 miles north of Denver.
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