California Teacher Guilty of Child Abuse

(Antioch, California) Last Friday a special-education teacher formerly at Mno Grant Elementary School, Theresa Allen-Caulboy, pleaded guilty in accordance with a plea agreement to child abuse charges. Allen-Caulboy reportedly slapped, pinched and verbally abused her students.

Allen-Caulboy has admitted to one felony count of child abuse and two misdemeanor charges.

According to the terms of the agreement, Allen-Caulboy must serve six months in county jail (the first 45 days in custody, and the rest on electronic home detention), surrender her teaching credential and stay away from the school, students and aides with whom she worked.

In addition, Allen-Caulboy waived all rights to appeal and is responsible for any costs associated with the emotional distress she caused the students, some of whom are nonverbal.

"It was an early admission of guilt," said deputy district attorney Chad Mahalich. "It was for a felony conviction when she had no record before. She can't teach. She's getting anger management (as part of the agreement). Nothing's going to make it OK, but this was a good resolution to allow people to move on with their lives and heal."

Speaking on behalf of Allen-Caulboy, defense attorney Elizabeth Grossman apologized to parents and classroom aides.