A former Hudson school paraprofessional was found guilty of simple assault Monday, Oct. 19, for grabbing an eight-year-old student by the arm while working at Nottingham West Elementary School earlier this year.
Jenna Kulick, who was employed as a one-on-one paraprofessional at the school, was convicted following a trial in New Hampshire’s Ninth Circuit Court, according to WMUR. She is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1.
The case began in early April, when the Hudson School District notified police that a student had sustained an injury to her upper right arm while at school. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed school staff and others involved in the incident before Kulick was arrested and charged with simple assault.
The student’s father, Andrew Vertigans, told WMUR that he noticed a bruise on his daughter’s right arm after the incident. He identified his daughter as an autistic child who is nonverbal and said he attended the court proceedings. Following the verdict, Vertigans told the station he was glad Kulick was being held accountable.
Kulick was 20 years old at the time of her arrest and was released on personal recognizance bail. Her initial court appearance had been scheduled for May 12 in Nashua.
During the trial, which began Oct. 15, several Hudson school employees testified about district policies and procedures, including how staff are expected to handle physical contact with students, according to WMUR. The court’s guilty finding followed that proceeding.
Kulick is due back in court Dec. 1 for sentencing. No sentencing outcome was available as of Tuesday, Oct. 20.
