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Aide charged with assault after ‘aggressively’ handling Virginia elementary school student

Crystal Graham
school student gym class PE elementary basketball
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An instructional assistant at a Virginia elementary school has been charged with misdemeanor assault after an incident involving a student in a physical education class.

Matthew Barber, 43, of Fairfax, was issued a summons today.

According to the Fairfax Police Department, Barber allegedly “aggressively handled” a student for not following directions during a physical education class at Providence Elementary School on Sept. 18.

No injuries were reported.

A teacher witnessed the incident and reported it to the school administration, and the aide was placed on administrative leave.

Fairfax County Public Schools shared information with the City of Fairfax Police Department one day after the incident, on Sept. 19.

Barber was released on his promise to appear in court, according to police.

If anyone is aware of additional victims, they are asked to contact Detective Ruth Lightner at (703) 385-7913.

Earlier this year, an elementary school music teacher in Fairfax County was accused of fondling two girls on separate occasions at Fairview Elementary School. The teacher pled guilty to reduced charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a Class 1 misdemeanor, according to online court records. The teacher was sentenced to six months in prison; but the full sentence was suspended.

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Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is a reporter and ad manager for Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of "Virginia Tonight," a nightly TV news show, both broadcast on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television. You can reach her at [email protected]