Former teacher convicted of abusing autistic students

February 10, 2011

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By Francis McCabe

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Posted: Feb. 9, 2011 | 5:26 p.m.

A former Las Vegas special education teacher was convicted Wednesday of abusing

autistic children in a County School District classroom.

Following a weeklong trial, a jury convicted Mamie Hubbard-Washington, 67, of

five felony counts of child abuse and neglect for striking, pinching, pushing

and verbally abusing five children from April 2006 to March 2007. The students

were ages 6 to 8.

Authorities said Hubbard-Washington beat autistic students at Elementary

School with a yardstick and a hairbrush, even slamming one child's face into a

tabletop. Authorities said she also abused the children psychologically by

demeaning them. The students have problems communicating verbally.

Hubbard-Washington faces one to 30 years in prison but remains free on her own

recognizance pending a June 16 sentencing hearing before Judge Abbi Silver.

Defense attorneys have argued that Hubbard-Washington inherited a chaotic

classroom where she had to gain control.

Authorities began investigating Hubbard-Washington after learning of her

behavior from teacher aides.

Hubbard-Washington, who previously taught in Chicago and had no criminal

history, had worked with special education children since 1985.

She was placed on paid administrative leave in May 2007. A month later, she was

no longer employed by the district.

A civil case filed by the children's parents against the County School

District has lingered in federal court for several years.

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