Paris, Tennessee — A 54-year-old woman accused of working as a therapist assigned to support a young student with anxiety has been arrested after allegedly striking the 5-year-old boy in the face with a hard lunchbox at an elementary school, according to authorities.
Jennifer Reynolds is facing an aggravated child abuse charge following the October 6 incident at Rhea Elementary School in Paris, Tennessee, about 60 miles west of Clarksville. The allegations were reported by the Henry County Sheriff’s Department.
The case has raised concerns about the safety of children receiving one-on-one behavioral support in school settings, particularly when the assigned professional is expected to help a student manage behavioral challenges and anxiety.
What Happened at Rhea Elementary School?
According to authorities, Reynolds allegedly struck the child on the right side of his face with a hard lunchbox while at Rhea Elementary School on October 6.
The boy’s parents told WBBJ that they were notified shortly after the incident.
Following the alleged attack, Reynolds was escorted off the school campus, while the student was taken to the school nurse, according to the parents’ account.
The publicly available information provided in the report does not specify the full extent of the child’s injuries or whether he required additional medical treatment.
Authorities have not released further details about what happened immediately before the alleged incident.
Why Was the Therapist Assigned to the Child?
Reynolds was identified as an applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapist who appears to have been assigned to work with the student she is accused of striking.
ABA therapy uses principles of applied behavior analysis to help individuals develop skills and address behaviors that may interfere with daily activities. It is commonly used to support some children with autism and other developmental or behavioral needs.
The child’s mother explained why her son had been assigned a therapist at school.
“Just to help him at school, somebody to be on his side and to help him with any behaviors or anxiety he might have during the day,” she said.
The alleged incident has drawn attention to the responsibilities of professionals who work closely with children in educational environments. However, the specific circumstances surrounding the interaction between Reynolds and the student have not been fully disclosed.
Parents Say They Feel Comfortable Returning to School
Despite the allegations, the student’s mother said the school had responded to the situation and that the family remained comfortable with the child returning to Rhea Elementary School.
“The school has seemed to be right on top of everything, so as far as him returning back to Rhea, we do feel comfortable with that,” the student’s mother told.
She also confirmed that the family would no longer use the ABA company involved.
“We will no longer be using that ABA company moving forward.”
Her comments indicate that the family intends to continue the child’s schooling while ending its relationship with the service provider.
The school-related response and the family’s decision to discontinue the company’s services are separate from the criminal case against Reynolds, which will proceed through the legal system.
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Reynolds Arrested Two Days After the Alleged Incident
Reynolds was arrested on October 8, two days after the reported incident, according to the information provided by authorities. She subsequently posted bond and was released hours after being booked.
She is scheduled to appear in court on October 20, where the case is expected to move forward through the legal process. The aggravated child abuse charge represents an allegation, and Reynolds is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Officials have not provided further details about the evidence in the case or whether additional charges could be filed.
What Happens Next in the Tennessee Case?
The next scheduled court appearance will be an important step in determining how the case proceeds. Additional information may emerge through court proceedings or further statements from law enforcement. For the family, the immediate focus appears to be ensuring that the child can return to school while receiving appropriate support.
The case also highlights the importance of safeguarding children who depend on adults for assistance with behavioral, developmental or emotional needs.
For now, the allegations against Reynolds remain the central focus of the criminal investigation, while the family has indicated that it plans to seek support for the child through a different provider.
What steps do you think schools and therapy providers should take to protect children receiving one-on-one support? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
