By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
MANOR, Texas — Two former employees of an elementary school face felony charges following separate investigations into alleged physical abuse of students, including nonverbal children with autism.
Pamela Craig, 51, and Michael Nathan, 47, worked at Presidential Meadows Elementary before Manor Independent School District let them go. The district confirmed neither remains employed.
Manor ISD police began investigating Craig on Aug. 21. According to court records reviewed by FOX 7 Austin, surveillance footage documented at least 23 allegedly aggressive encounters involving Craig and five 9-year-old special education students over 11 days. The children were described as nonverbal and autistic.
Investigators alleged Craig forcefully lifted students by their arms, pulled children from chairs, and restrained some on the floor. One recording showed her grabbing a child’s face and jerking his head while yelling. Police said Craig acknowledged being overly aggressive. She faces a second-degree felony charge of injury to a child.
Nathan’s charge stems from an Aug. 25 dismissal incident. Court documents allege he grabbed a student’s backpack, pulled the child into the building, and pinned him against a wall with his forearm across the child’s neck and chest for about 10 seconds. The student reported neck pain and difficulty breathing. Nathan faces a state-jail felony charge of injury to a child.
Craig’s bond was set at $15,000, while Nathan’s was set at $25,000. Both were ordered to stay away from the school, and state records showed their teaching certifications under review.
Manor ISD said it placed the employees on administrative leave when the allegations emerged. The district provided additional training and began reviewing student-management practices, staff expectations, and oversight. The charges are allegations; records show no convictions.