JASPER, Texas — An attorney for a Jasper ISD teacher accused of causing a child to 'eat his own feces' said the ongoing investigation is 'unfounded' and that the teacher denies the accusations.
Aplon's attorney Jonathan Goins said she "is now suffering great harm" from the investigation.
Mamie Robinson Aplon, 67, of Jasper, was arrested after a Jasper County grand jury indicted her on a misdemeanor charge of “official oppression.”
Prosecutors say the Few Primary School teacher subjected a child to mistreatment that caused the boy to "eat his own feces."
“These accusations have left Mamie Aplon distraught but not broken,” Goins said. “I represent her today because I admire her efforts and seek to be a voice for the falsely accused and the criminally mistreated.”
Goins said Aplon denies the accusations against her.
“As her attorney, I am here to declare that my client unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and we look forward to our day in court where we can clear her good name.”
He claims Jasper ISD and the police department failed to handle the situation properly.
Goins said in a news release he "has taken the helm to seek justice and redress for Mamie Aplon as well as solace for her reputation where the School District and Police Department have tarnished it in failing to use effective crisis management communication skills or tactics."
The district said they immediately put Aplon on administrative leave and contacted law enforcement when the alleged act was reported.
"The alleged incident was reported to campus administrators on the day of the incident and the district immediately placed the teacher on administrative leave and informed the Jasper Police Department and Child Protective Services," Jasper ISD Superintendent Dr. Steve Hyden said. "The district has cooperated fully during the investigation of this matter and will continue to do so."
The alleged crime happened September 25, 2019.
From a Goins Law Firm news release:
A Jasper educator and public servant of 38 years, along with the community of Jasper, Texas, is now suffering great harm from an unfounded ongoing investigation. Mamie Aplon has dedicated her life to enhancing the educational experience of low-income children and making sure their basic needs are met as they grow and develop under her instruction. Mrs. Aplon prides herself on being hands-on in the classroom by personally getting to know every child and their parents. Despite such a supreme and unblemished record in the classroom, Mrs. Aplon is being falsely accused of mistreating a student and causing him to eat his own feces.
Within the Jasper community, Mamie Aplon is a highly decorated public servant receiving such recognitions and accolades as the “I Believe” Award for her efforts as an educator, “Special Thanks” Award, “Pillar of the Community” Award, Humanitarian Award, and her local chapter’s NAACP Award for community service. Furthermore, Mrs. Aplon received the “Dedicated Service” Award from Faw Primary School. Attorney Jonathan Goins has taken the helm to seek justice and redress for Mamie Aplon as well as solace for her reputation where the School District and Police Department have tarnished it in failing to use effective crisis management communication skills or tactics. Instead, they mistreated Aplon, placed her on administrative leave and allowed Jasper Police Department and Child Protective Services to treat her like a criminal.
“These accusations have left Mamie Aplon distraught but not broken,” Goins said. “I represent her today because I admire her efforts and seek to be a voice for the falsely accused and the criminally mistreated.” Although deeply disturbed by the allegations and efforts to damage her reputation, Mrs.Aplon wants the community to know that she will not be deterred from her mission to help others. She has organized the Black Girls Rock initiative to mentor underage girls and will be conducting a turkey and food drive for the homeless and sick this coming Thanksgiving. She will continue to work for the good of the public. “As her attorney, I am here to declare that my client unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and we look forward to our day in court where we can clear her good name.”
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