A former De Soto School District special education teacher has been charged for allegedly abusing a student with special needs. The alleged abuse occurred at school between Jan. 1, 2024, and April 25, 2024, according to court records.
Alyssa Tripp, 33, of De Soto was charged on Feb. 21 with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, creating a substantial risk, a class D felony punishable by up to seven years in prison, court documents said.
Court records did not list an attorney for Tripp. She is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on March 24, court documents show.
De Soto Superintendent Ron Farrow said in an email that Tripp began working for the district as a substitute teacher in February 2018. She was hired as a paraprofessional in August 2018, and she started working as a special education teacher on Aug. 12, 2021.
Farrow said Tripp worked in classrooms through April 26, 2024, and she “separated from employment” with the district on June 30, 2024.
“Student safety is always our number one priority in the district,” Farrow said in his email. “Whenever we receive concerns about interactions between students and teachers, we begin an investigation immediately and place staff on administrative leave as necessary during the review process. At the conclusion of the investigation, the district takes all appropriate measures to ensure the safe education of every student.”
According to the probable-cause statement in the case, the student’s mother reported the abuse on May 25, 2024, to a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy. The mother told the deputy her child is autistic and non-verbal.
A witness told the deputy that Tripp used a spray water bottle to discipline the student from January 2024 through April 2024. The witness said Tripp didn’t spray the student every day but allegedly sprayed him with water multiple times, the report said.
The witness also said that on April 25, 2024, Tripp was frustrated with the student for not performing his work and allegedly sprayed him with water and pinned his fingers to the table, not allowing him to reach his tablet to communicate, according to the report.
The witness also told investigators that on that day, Tripp slapped the student’s hands with a file folder. Tripp also allegedly stood on the boy’s feet to keep him from sitting up from a table, the report said.
Also during the work session, Tripp allegedly kicked a yoga ball at the student, hitting the boy in the chest, according to the report.