A disturbing incident in Tyler, Texas has shocked the community after a special education teacher and two teaching aides were arrested for allegedly mistreating a high school student with Down Syndrome. The three were accused of punishing the student for hours while one of them cursed at him.
According to reports from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, all three were arrested on March 28, 2024, and now face serious charges.
What Happened Inside the Classroom?
The people arrested include:
- Krystina Renea Haas (special education teacher)
- Priscilla Gutierrez (teaching aide)
- June Tryon (teaching aide)
According to Tyler Police, the abuse was caught on surveillance video from the classroom. The footage showed the student being forced to walk in circles around his desk for two hours without a break. Later, Haas was seen yelling and cursing in the student’s face.
After this, Haas reportedly told Tryon to “get the tape.” Tryon then wrapped the student’s hands with packing tape, restricting his finger movement. The student was then forced to keep walking, still with taped hands, for another two hours.
After all that, he was made to stand in a corner for nearly two more hours, again with no breaks. Just before school ended, the tape was removed so the student could catch his bus home.
Teacher Justifies Her Actions
In statements to police, Krystina Haas defended her behavior, saying the student had been making rude gestures like flipping off staff and using “finger guns.” She claimed this form of discipline wasn’t harmful.
“It’s not going to hurt them to stand for four hours or walk,” she reportedly told police. Haas also said making students walk around the room for 10 to 15 minutes was a common practice for dealing with disrespect.
She added that this particular student was the only one whose hands were ever taped, and that it had happened once before. In her words, “They’re not precious babies, they’re fourteen- or fifteen-year-old teenage kids.”
Current Status of the Case
All three former employees were charged with injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual, a serious offence in Texas. As of now, they remain in jail.
The school district, Tyler ISD, has not issued a detailed public response yet, but the arrests have deeply angered and saddened many in the local community.