Update: Special Ed Teacher Charged with 9 Counts of Child Abuse
The victims were two 4-year-old boys, and the abuse occurred over the last few months.
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Special Education teacher Alexia Aliki Bogdis, 44, of Millbrae has been charged with numerous counts of child abuse.
Bogdis was charged with five counts of child cruelty and four counts of battery while teaching at the Roosevelt Child Development Center. Investigators on the case allege she deprived a child of food and kicked him in the stomach. She also slapped a student, twisted a student’s wrist and kicked the back of a student’s chair.
The victims were two 4-year-old boys, and the abuse occurred over the last few months.
"We have zero tolerance toward violence of any kind at our schools,” said Superintendent Jan Christensen in a statement. "If there is verification of actual physical abuse toward any student by any staff member, I will recommend to the school board that the employee be terminated."
Police issued an arrest warrant after a report from Child Protective Services, and Bogdis turned herself into police on Friday. She was released on $15,000 bail.
Bogdis is scheduled to appear in San Mateo County Superior Court on March 1.
The teacher will remain on administrative leave until the situation is resolved, according to the district.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
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marci
11:09 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
Alexia worked with my special needs child for several years and although I am unfamiliar with the charges here, who reported them and the validity, I can vouch for her character and commitment to children. I hope all of you will reserve judgment until she gets a fair hearing.
Amanda Maria
11:31 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
my son is in this class. he is severely autistic and doesnt talk. at all. how is he supposed to be able to tell someone if he got hurt he has been in this class for two fucking years!! i dont give a fuck how nice she is and i personally liked alexia. but theydont just charge teachers with allegations like these unless there is substantiated evidence that something went down. wtf. i need to reach my ex to find out if my son was one of the boys who was abused. this is so not ok.. :`(
Steve Hayes
8:36 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Amanda Said "but theydont just charge teachers with allegations like these unless there is substantiated evidence that something went down."
That is a completely inaccurate statement - I have read about many allegations like this that have turned out to be entirely false.
According to the story the two kids were 4 yrs old with some sort of learning issues - no doubt they had to be coached to recall details.The question is did CPS get to the truth or did they enable the kids (more likely the parents) fabricate the events. Child abuse cases are often nothing more than witch hunts.
sped ed mom
8:59 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
@ Steve Hayes, the Mercury News reports that the classroom aides contacted the authorities based on what they have been witnessing in the classroom. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19904586
She was teaching a class for mid to low functioning autistic kids, It is likely that the kids in her classroom have severe language issues and are unable to express themselves if at all, I doubt that even with "coaching" they would have been able to tell an incriminating story against their teacher. I am appauled that adults in our community are not looking at this news in horror, rather, focusing on which school was involved, or blaming kids. The accusations are severe and should not be taken lightly.
jen l.
5:57 pm on Monday, February 13, 2012
You don't "give a fuck," Amanda? "WTF" you say? If your son could talk, what are the words he is learning from you? What kind of self-control are you teaching him?
Stacie Chan
11:55 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012
@marci: I do hope Ms. Bogdis gets a fair trial as well, though the charges are quite alarming. Patch will be covering the trial when she first appears in court on March 1.
@Amanda Maria: I am so sorry to hear this :\ I'm sure if you contact the district and let them know your son is in her class they will provide you with more information. 650-423-2200
Andy C
8:24 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
People like this need to be thinned from the heard... Administrative Leave? So basically she is getting paid and being protected by the union while we wait for the courts? Fire her ass and protect the children. I say video cameras in all public classrooms that any parent can watch at any time. The unions will never let it happen but it sure would help with some accountability. Why was this not discovered for so long? Throw the book at the administration too.
Elaine Park
9:00 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hi Stacie,
When reporting this kind of incendiary story (and anything regarding schools and children falls into that category), it would be helpful if you could tell us which agency and individual lead the investigation, what did the investigation entail, what precipitated the charges being made, and other pertinent details. Otherwise, we have a pretty one-sided story that encourages readers to play judge, jury, and executioner.
Sarah H.
9:20 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Redwood City Patch is carrying the same story on this that is running on all of the other major local news websites. It comes out on the wire, and they all pick up the same story and run it. Patch is no better nor worse about this. And in fact Patch has updated and corrected its stories as new information developed quicker than some other news outlets. Other news outlets, such as the Mercury, assigned a reporter to the story to dig a little deeper, and other outlets will follow suit and carry the same information.
This is an evolving story and will take many twists and turns in the coming days and months as more information is obtained and revealed to the public. Patch, I'm sure, will stay on the story and bring us the information they uncover as they uncover it.
Lin
11:09 am on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The school is taking the right administrative action for now. let the wheels of justice move forward and reserve judgement.
Kenny Porpora
10:37 pm on Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Hi everybody - I just wanted to send a reminder to everyone to be courteous and respectful when commenting. We appreciate your participation in this conversation but had to delete a comment that used some unnecessary language. Thanks!
What If
5:00 am on Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The real question should be what if this was your child?
Mary pat
8:52 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Please reserve judgement until the facts are out. Someone doesn't choose this field without a desire to make life a little easier for these children. Special Ed teachers should be applauded for the work they do and their particular stresses recognized.
KJ
7:30 pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012
I provided consultation in Alexia's classroom a few years back and expressed concern over her lack of patience and aggressive tone with the children. She was a horrible teacher!!! If the allegations are true, I hope she gets slapped with more than just a misdemeanor. She should never be allowed to work with children again!