CUTHBERT, Ga. (WALB) - A mother says she’s considering all legal options after her non-verbal child was allegedly abused by a paraprofessional at Randolph Clay Middle School.

“I’m hurt about the situation. I’m upset, I’m stressed out about it, I’m depressed about it,” Shawanda Jones, the mother of the non-verbal child, said. “My biggest fear is my son being mistreated when I’m not around, and for him to be mistreated at school, it broke my heart.”

You may remember, WALB first told you about the arrest of 69-year-old Carlton Simmons in connection with the incident in October of this year.

Simmons faces one count of cruelty to children in the first degree, six counts of cruelty to children in the third degree, and one count of simple battery.

Right now, Jones has retained a lawyer, who says they’re currently considering all legal options.

“We are not satisfied with the investigation that the school system conducted,” William Godfrey, an attorney hired by the mother, said. “In fact, in our opinion it was not much of an investigation at all. We are here to give a voice to this child to make sur that he receives justice for the harm that he suffered.”

In a newly obtained statement given to police, a person who witnessed the alleged abuse says they observed Simmons, “…speaking harshly to the student and acting more aggressive than usual.”

They also told the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office that they witnessed, “… Mr. Simmons grab (the student) by the arm and sling him onto the mat on the floor.”

They continued to say that Simmons stated at one, “… We had to do this sometimes last year.”

The mother of the student says, the school system never contacted her. She says she learned about the alleged abuse through the Division of Family and Children Services, a day after it happened.

“I’m mad at the school because they just hire anybody. With this incident, they didn’t even reach out to see about trying to get him therapy,” Jones said. “I’m trying to find him therapy, I’m trying to find myself therapy, I’m hurting about the situation.”

As of now, Simmons is no longer employed with the school system and is currently out on bond.

The mother and her attorney said they’re launching their own investigation into what happened, as they’re not satisfied with how the school system conducted its investigation.

Dr. Tangela Madge, Randolph County Superintendent, said she cannot comment on a personnel matter. She says the school board’s attorney is handling the matter.

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