QUEEN CREEK, AZ (AZFamily) — A Queen Creek woman who worked with children with autism at an Action Behavior Center is facing two counts of aggravated assault on kids in her care.
According to court documents, the worker, identified as Khamara Holmes, threw a yoga ball at one child’s head and grabbed another child by the wrists and tossed them into a bathroom as they screamed and cried.
Mother describes finding out
Brandy Haines said she dropped her 5-year-old autistic son off at the Action Behavior Center in Queen Creek in February. Hours later, she received a call informing her that Holmes, who worked directly with children with autism at the center, had allegedly assaulted her son.
“My heart fell in my stomach. Because who’s going to do that to a kid? Who’s going to do that to my baby?” Haines said.
What the police report says
According to a police report, Holmes attempted to throw a large yoga ball at the 5-year-old’s head. Police say she then picked him up by the wrists and threw him to the ground.
“For someone to just do that, it’s insane to me. Insane. They’re so vulnerable,” Haines said.
Court documents show that on the same day, Holmes grabbed another child by the wrists and tossed them into a bathroom as they screamed and cried.
Witnesses reported Holmes yelled “shut up” and later admitted she “had been hurting kids all day,” according to court documents.
“No child deserves to be assaulted at their place where they’re learning. It’s just crazy to think,” Haines said.
What’s next
Haines said she wants accountability.
“I just want accountability. I want justice for my son,” Haines said.
Action Behavior Centers has not responded to a request for information about how long Holmes worked there and whether the company terminated her employment.
Holmes’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31.
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