Woodward para-professional charged with child abuse
Dec. 8—By Johnny McMahan
Managing Editor
A charge of child abuse was filed on a Woodward paraprofessional Thursday in Woodward County District Court.
Ty Allen Albers is accused of striking a non-verbal special needs student in the face and also squeezing and twisting the student's fingers, causing injury, according to court documents.
According to affidavit filed by Woodward Det. Cpl. Brian Newton, the assault occurred on Dec. 1 around 4 p.m. at Woodward High School.
Newton said he received the report from School Resource Officer Jack Brown, who was notified of the incident on Dec. 4 by school officials.
Newton, in the affidavit, said he observedd video from school surveillance cameras that showed Albers — who was working as a paraprofessional — "becoming increasingly annoyed" with the student, which ultimately led to him striking the student across the left side of his head.
Newton said the student's sister told him that since the incident, the student has shown a significant change in behavior, refuses to get dressed for school and appears to "just not want to go back."
Albers, who according to police, resigned after being confronted by school administration, was arrested on Tuesday.
According to court documents, Associate District Judge Erin Kirksey set bond at $50,000.
The charge carries a possible prison sentence and fine.
The case number is CF-2023-181.
