LACKAWANNA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Former OLV Victory Learning Center teacher aide Chanel Willis was arrested after multiple allegations that she physically abused students at the school.
Willis has been charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of a child. She had her second appearance in Lackawanna City Court on Wednesday. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Erie County District Attorney's Office confirmed that Willis' charges stem from allegations that I first reported on in November. She is accused of grabbing, shoving, and/or slapping three students while working as a teacher aide.
I was told by the parents of two students that they were instructed to come into the school, where they say they were shown security camera footage of their children being physically abused by Willis. Both kids have autism and are nonverbal.
"We will not stop until we get justice for our kids," Diamond Tooles, the mother of 6-year-old De'Mario Tooles, said.
"I am hoping that the law system does the right thing," Aniya Wiggins, the mother of 7-year-old Kaydin Smith, said.
WATCH: 'My heart dropped': Parents allege their children were abused at Victory Learning Center in Lackawanna
"I seen my child eating, and for whatever reason, a staff member grabbed his arm and yanked him up," Wiggins said to me in November. "I had seen another clip where [Kaydin] was playing with a toy, and, for whatever reason, a staff member put her arm in the air, swung her arm back and hit him on his back-shoulder type of area hard. Hit him hard. My heart dropped. Once I had seen that, I couldn't do nothing but break down and cry."
"I saw his face being smushed, him being up against a wall, yelling at him, pointing her finger, her yanking him up. It was just horrible," Tooles said in November. "It broke my heart. I just never imagined anything like that, like I don't put my hands on nobody's kids."
Both Wiggins and Tooles said OLV Human Services would not let them record any footage they were shown. They have both since removed their children from attending the school.
Shakevia Dauden's 9-year-old daughter, Gabby, was also abused by Willis.
"I honestly think the public should be able to see the video of what this individual did," Dauden said. "It's one thing for us to describe it, but for you to see the actual footage, you will see how disgusting this individual is. Don’t give her a slap on the wrist. She doesn't deserve it."
According to OLV Human Services, on November 5, its leadership learned of and began investigating allegations of physical mistreatment of students by an employee that occurred on October 10. On November 6, it contacted City of Lackawanna Police and filed a police report against the employee. OLV Human Services said the employee had been placed on leave and two other employees had been placed on leave "due to their conduct in the situation."
WATCH: 'Justice for our kids': Former OLV teacher aide arrested for alleged physical abuse of students
The Lackawanna Mayor's office stated it has no comment in reference to Willis' arrest.
Willis was released under supervision. She is set to return to court in April.
According to OLV Human Services, it provides specialized services through the Victory Learning Center on Ridge Road for students who are diagnosed with autism or a cognitive disability paired with a mental health diagnosis.
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