Hosack Elementary School Teacher Placed On Administrative Leave As Police Probe Alleged Incident During Gym Class

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

MCCANDLESS (KDKA) -- The North Allegheny School District has placed a teacher on administrative leave as they investigate an alleged incident involving a little girl during an adaptive gym class.

"Elizabeth is 6 years old. She has down syndrome, she's non-verbal," said mother Nicole Glancy.

But despite that, her parents say a gym teacher at Hosack Elementary School forcibly put Elizabeth on a scooter, allegedly dragging her at times by the arm and legs.

"It's just heartbreaking. You see your kid just distinctly struggling and it's not OK," said Nicole.

Nicole and Matt Glancy say a paraprofessional in the adaptive gym class reported the incident.

"That didn't sit quite right with the special education teacher, so she immediately wrote a report to the principal. When the principal read the report, she immediately started reviewing video footage so she found it," said Nicole.

Nicole says the principal showed her the clip, captured on a district camera inside the space.

In a statement, the district's Acting Superintendent Dr. Patrick O'Toole said in part, "While federal privacy laws prevent us from sharing details and confirming specified information, we are working with local law enforcement and will follow District policies to address these matters based on our investigation."

"I'm grateful to the school with what they have provided to our children over the years, but this is unacceptable," said Nicole.

The McCandless Police chief says his detectives are investigating and a ChildLine report was also filed. The chief says detectives will consult with the DA if need be.

The Glancy family says the ideal outcome is this: "That he doesn't teach any child or is in a classroom with any child ever again."

The parents say they think they have a long road ahead, but they won't stop fighting for their daughter.