Fort Collins police officers responsible for keeping schools safe have arrested a 36-year-old employee who they believe repeatedly punched a disabled kindergarten student.
Police have reviewed school bus surveillance video, which they say shows paraprofessional Tyler Zanella punching the student on April 25, May 19 and May 22, according to a press release issued Wednesday by the police department. of Fort Collins.
Zanella was arrested Tuesday and placed in the Larimer County Jail, authorities said.
Zanella faces multiple charges of assault and child abuse: three counts of crimes against an at-risk minor, three counts of third-degree assault and three counts of child abuse.
“Officers have reason to believe there may be other victims,” police said.
Poudre School District officials alerted police to the possible crimes on Tuesday. Police academy resource officers have opened an investigation into the alleged crimes.
School district officials were not immediately available on Thursday. No further information has been released.
Police are appealing for the public’s assistance, asking anyone with information related to this case or other possible cases involving Zanella to contact Officer Dexter Rowe at (970) 472-3705.
Police arrest school district employee for assault
Full version available here: https://t.co/uLUaip22xn
— Fort Collins Police (@FCPolice) May 25, 2023
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