Michigan paraprofessional pleads guilty to assaulting autistic student with shoe
07/11/2025 12:26 pm PDT
MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. (TCN) -- A 55-year-old former school paraprofessional recently entered a guilty plea for assaulting a 6-year-old autistic student with a shoe last year.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, Kimberly Horen pleaded guilty on July 8 to assault and battery. Authorities said, "Upon successful completion of 12 months’ probation, continued anger management counseling, and Wyatt’s Law registration, Horen’s conviction will be reduced to attempted assault and battery."
The defendant is set for a pre-sentence hearing in September.
On Oct. 18, 2024, a parent said her 6-year-old child was assaulted by a staff member at Forest Park Elementary in Eastpointe. An internal investigation revealed Horen "removed the child’s shoe and used it to strike them in the head." She was subsequently fired.
In a statement, Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido said, "Paraprofessionals play a vital role in supporting students, particularly those with special needs. When that responsibility is not upheld, it is important that there are consequences. This guilty plea reflects that the defendant’s actions were completely unacceptable. Our office remains committed to protecting all students in Macomb County."
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