Hartshorne school employee charged with abuse

HARTSHORNE, Okla. (AP) – A Hartshorne Public Schools employee faces a felony charge after police say she was shown on school surveillance video tying a teen to a desk, rubbing a disinfectant wipe on the youth’s face and encouraging the girl to harm herself.

The McAlester News-Capital reports (http://bit.ly/1Ob72aX ) that 55-year-old paraprofessional Marsha J. Conley of Wilburton is charged with one count of child abuse by injury.

A police report says she’s assigned to care for the 16-year-old student, who’s mentally and physically disabled.

She pleaded not guilty during an initial hearing Monday at the Pittsburg County Courthouse. Conley’s attorney, Pat Layden, says they will fight the charge.

Conley’s bond has been set at $35,000.