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Middle School Aide Charged With Assaulting Special Ed Student

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – An aide at a local middle school is facing charges after police say she assaulted a special education student.

Sharon Kosko, 59, is a paraprofessional aide at Penn Middle School in Jeannette.

According to police, Kosko was working at the school when one of her special needs children lost their temper. That's when, according to investigators, Kosko lost hers.

"This particular student was having a bad day, removed her shoes in the direction of the teacher," said Penn Township Police Chief John Otto.

What happened next shocked the two other instructors looking on.

"The teacher picks up a shoe, throws the shoe at the child, striking the child about the head and face," said Otto.

Police say Kosko also dragged the student for 5 feet across the classroom carpet, causing a brush burn on the student's back.

Two other educators reported the incident to the administration. Penn Township released a statement that said, in part:

"The administration investigated this occurrence. Please be advised that all appropriate steps have been taken in this matter to a final resolution, so as to prevent any such conduct in the future."

No one answered the door when KDKA went to Kosko's Level Green home.

Kosko is charged with simple assault and harassment.

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