BOARDMAN TWP., Ohio - A Boardman teacher's aide of over 20 years is facing disciplinary action after stapling a piece of paper to an autistic student's hair at Boardman Center Intermediate School on January 19, but a Lyndhurst attorney speaking on behalf of the student's mother said Boardman Superintendent Tim Saxton "downplayed the severity of the event."

The student's mother initially contacted the Boardman police on January 20 and said her son was shaken up by the incident.

Saxton said he sent the accused employee a letter of reprimand. The letter states the incident represents "Inappropriate, Abusive or Offensive Conduct."

"Obviously, this is not how we expect students to be treated and this does not represent what we believe in," Saxton said. 

According to the redacted police report, the incident was centered around the student's daily routine of bringing a water bottle to school.

The report states in part,  "...His teacher and teacher's aid had requested several times that the student brings his own water bottle from home to school..."

Further stating, "...[The Teacher's Aid] then grabbed a stapler and stapled a note to his hair advising that he is to bring his own water bottle to class..."

The student's mother also said there was a red mark on her son's neck in the report, but police said they could not determine the mark was caused by the teacher's aide. 

Police said after concluding the investigation and conferring to prosecutors, nothing they found led to any elements of a criminal charge.

Saxton said because there was no intent of harm or previous wrongdoings by the faculty member, the punishment remains as a warning.

"We felt the decision was reasonable and it was aligned with the act," he said. 

On February 9, Attorney Aimee E. Gilman of Agins and GIlman LLC of Lyndhurst issued a statement claiming, "The teacher's aid stapled a piece of paper to this child's head, not his hair."

Also adding, "The child did suffer injuries both physical and mental, and did receive medical treatment."

"...This lady's [teacher's aide] has been the subject of multiple complaints by the student's mother," Gilman wrote. 

In response to this statement, Boardman School's Communications Coordinator Amy Radinovic said, "We've been forthcoming with you, but given there's pending litigation, we are unable to talk about the matter further at this time."

Radinovic would not further comment on if the school is seeking a legal remedy. 

Boardman Police Department said given they're already conducted the investigation, they have "no further comment at this time."