Multiple staffers fired amid child abuse allegations at Fort Bend ISD's Burton Elementary: Officials

FRESNO, Texas (KTRK) -- An investigation into child abuse allegations at a Fort Bend ISD elementary school has expanded, according to an update from county officials.

The Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Wednesday that more staff members at Burton Elementary School in Fresno had been fired amid the investigation, sending Eyewitness News the following statement:

"Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office investigators have confirmed valid allegations of abuse/injury involving an FBISD teacher and teacher assistants at Burton Elementary.
We have been advised by FBISD that the staff members involved have been relieved of their employment. Our investigators are actively working this case and are reviewing all students who were under the supervision of these staff members to determine whether there may be additional victims."

Families of students with special needs have come forward, saying they believe their children were hurt by their teachers or assistants. The parents say the district has shown them videos of the alleged abuse.

Earlier this week, a mother spoke to ABC13, saying her 6-year-old nonverbal son with autism was a victim after she says she became concerned about behavioral changes and visible injuries.

"If you guys would see the footage, not even an animal gets treated that way," the mother, Maribel Vera, said on Monday. Family members allege a staff member handled the child roughly and made inappropriate comments.

On Wednesday, ABC13 heard from another parent of a student with special needs who described what happened inside a Burton Elementary classroom as devastating.

Tyrrell Smith said that in February, he also started noticing behavioral changes in his 9-year-old, who is nonverbal and has autism. He said they took their concerns to the school, trusting them to handle it.

Then this week, Smith says he got a call from the principal saying that they were reviewing classroom video following abuse allegations involving another student. A report from CPS notes allegations of a staffer "swinging a book at the child's hands."

"They can't speak for themselves, and the no clarification between the principals and the administration is killing me," Smith said.

Fort Bend ISD now confirms multiple teachers and assistants have been fired as a result of this investigation.

CPS also said it was investigating. At this time, ABC13 is not naming the teachers and assistants who've been fired because they have not been criminally charged.