School Staffer Charged With Striking 6-Year-Old Developmentally Disabled Student

The attack by the Ocean State Academy staff member was caught on video, according to reports.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 11:21pm

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An extreme close-up of a broken pair of eyeglasses, the lenses shattered and the frame twisted, against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the investigation into the alleged assault on a developmentally disabled student.Video evidence from a staff member's own recording device exposes an alleged assault on a vulnerable student, raising concerns about oversight and accountability in special education settings.Cranston Today

A staff member at Ocean State Academy in Cranston, Rhode Island has been charged with repeatedly striking a 6-year-old developmentally disabled student. The incident was caught on video, which the staffer may have recorded herself using a pair of glasses. The staffer, Timesha Harley, was immediately terminated by the school and charged with assault on a person with severe impairments.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the need for heightened oversight and accountability in special education settings, where vulnerable students require the utmost care and protection. The use of video evidence also raises questions about privacy and transparency in these environments.

The details

According to police, they responded to Ocean State Academy on Tuesday morning after a report of an assault. Video evidence showed Timesha Harley, a 32-year-old staff member, striking the 6-year-old student multiple times with an open hand inside a classroom. The child is reported to have significant developmental impairments and limited verbal ability. Harley was charged with assault on a person with severe impairments and released on her own recognizance, with her arraignment scheduled for April 23.

  • On Tuesday morning, police responded to the incident at around 9:09 a.m.
  • Harley's arraignment is scheduled for April 23.

The players

Timesha Harley

A 32-year-old staff member at Ocean State Academy who was charged with assaulting a 6-year-old developmentally disabled student.

Ocean State Academy

A school in Cranston, Rhode Island that specializes in meeting the educational and behavioral needs of K-12+ students with psychiatric and social-emotional difficulties.

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What’s next

Harley's arraignment on the assault charge is scheduled for April 23.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the critical need for rigorous oversight, staff training, and accountability measures in special education settings to protect vulnerable students from abuse. The use of video evidence in this case raises important questions about privacy and transparency that schools and policymakers will need to address.