CLARK COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — The family of a Clark County student is outraged that a teacher’s assistant is still working after mistakenly sending a profanity-laced text message about the child to his father.
The father, who we’ll only refer to as Michael, showed LEX 18 the text messages that he received back in May from a teacher’s assistant at Baker Intermediate in Winchester.
"She pretty much degraded him. It’s hard to put into words," said Michael.
Michael said that his son, a 6th-grader, told teaching assistant Natalie Thomas he didn’t feel well and he didn’t want to ride the bus. Michael said that his son has been bullied and was scared.
While exchanging text messages with Thomas, Michael said that she inadvertently sent him a profanity-laced text about his son.
It reads, "Cain ****! Been in here before boo hooin…big f***** p***! Just txt dad who is no where near p***…will be mad cause he’s cryin".
"I was very upset, very upset. This is somebody who is supposed to be taking care of my child during the day," said Michael.
The child’s grandfather, Jim, is also upset.
"I was the one who went to the school and made the complaint. I demanded this lady be fired," said Jim.
Despite the incident at Baker Intermediate, Thomas is still working for the Clark County School System. She was reassigned across the street at Strode Station Elementary.
"That would be a horrible thing if teachers are talking about our children like this," said Michael
We tried to reach Thomas for comment.
The superintendent said that she has worked for the school system for more than 15 years and was previously recognized in the superintendent’s salute for Wing Man Wednesday. She is quoted as saying in part, "I love doing this job when I see students years later become successful adults."
Superintendent Paul Christy would not speak on camera but told LEX 18 that he can’t comment on disciplinary action and added, "This was an isolated incident we took seriously and dealt with immediately. We strive hard in Clark County to have good relationships between our students, parents and all working staff."
"I don’t want to see anybody else’s son treated like this, it’s not right," said Michael.
