Therapist Charged with Felony Child Abuse After Assaulting Autistic, Nonverbal Student

Disturbing video footage shows therapist throwing objects and hitting student during session

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A therapist at a West Palm Beach, Florida therapy center has been charged with felony child abuse after disturbing video footage showed him throwing objects at and physically assaulting an autistic, nonverbal student during a therapy session. The student's mother discovered the abuse after noticing new bruises on her son and reviewing the center's surveillance footage, which captured the therapist's violent actions. The therapy center initially tried to downplay the incident, but has since fired the therapist, who now faces criminal charges.

Why it matters

This case highlights the vulnerability of children with disabilities, especially those who are nonverbal, and the critical need for thorough oversight and accountability in therapeutic settings. It also raises questions about the therapy center's initial response and whether they were complicit in trying to cover up the abuse.

The details

According to the report, the therapist, Reylan Garnier, had worked with the autistic, nonverbal student multiple times in the past at the Maximum Achievers therapy center in West Palm Beach. On February 23, 2026, when the student's mother, Diana Hernandez, picked him up from a session, she immediately noticed he was shaking in fear. At home, she found new bruises and marks on his body, prompting her to demand surveillance footage from the session. The footage showed Garnier intentionally throwing objects like a ball and a shoe at the student, as well as hitting him repeatedly on the backside with a shoe.

  • On February 23, 2026, the student's mother noticed new bruises and marks on her son after a therapy session.
  • The mother reviewed surveillance footage from the session, which captured the therapist's abusive actions.
  • The therapy center initially tried to downplay the incident but has since fired the therapist.
  • The former therapist, Reylan Garnier, now faces a felony child abuse charge.

The players

Diana Hernandez

The mother of the autistic, nonverbal student who was assaulted by the therapist.

Reylan Garnier

The therapist who was caught on video throwing objects at and physically assaulting the autistic, nonverbal student. He has been charged with felony child abuse.

Maximum Achievers

The therapy center in West Palm Beach, Florida where the abuse took place. The center initially tried to downplay the incident but has since fired the therapist.

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What they’re saying

“The first mark I saw was the one on his ribs, and then I see the bite, and then I see the bruise on his lower back. I'm like, this is unacceptable. This could not have been done by him.”

— Diana Hernandez, Mother of the autistic, nonverbal student (CBS 12)

“Why are you risking your whole business for this man? You're supposed to be taking care of my kids. I put my kids in your hands.”

— Diana Hernandez, Mother of the autistic, nonverbal student (CBS 12)

“I thought that I was the right person to help but I failed, and I regret everything.”

— Reylan Garnier, Former therapist (CBS 12)

What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Reylan Garnier, the former therapist charged with felony child abuse, to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This disturbing case highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight and accountability in therapeutic settings, especially when serving vulnerable children with disabilities. It underscores the importance of thorough background checks, ongoing monitoring, and swift action to protect students from abuse.