Pocono News Section

Accused Teacher Returns To Court

Accused Teacher Returns To Court - Thursday, February 21, 2008 at 4:34PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Thursday, Feb 21, 2008 @04:34pm EST
(WILKES-BARRE, Luzerne County0 - There is enough evidence against a Special Education teacher accused of abusing her students to head to trial. Angela Kairo-Scibek of Plymouth returned to court Thursday, a few months after being charged with abusing her own students. Police say she played a game with them called "child abuse" and even forced one student's face into a pillow. Angela Kairo-Scibek leaves central court in Wilkes-Barre with her husband and attorney at her side. Reporter Jill Konopka asks, "Does she deny the charges? Defense Attorney Frank Nocito responds, “She does, and she does emphatically." The Special Education teacher from the Wyoming Valley West School District is currently suspended without pay; more than two months after police charged her with abusing three of her students. Joseph Brown says his grandson is one of the victims. Brown spoke to WBRE News Exclusively, "They need counseling now. He used to love school. Now he hates school. It's not fair to him." All of the students are special needs children, who attended Main Street Elementary School in Plymouth Jenny Roberts is Luzerne County’s Assistant District Attorney, “Obviously outrage, outrage." And prosecutors say the abuse occurred when the kids' were in fourth and/or fifth grades. That was two years ago... Roberts added, "It’s always difficult when children are your witnesses and especially in this case because in this case, the kids are special needs children." All three children testified they were too afraid to tell any adults what they say had happened. They all described being hit with a wooden object, similar to a ruler by their teacher. They say she refused to honor their pleas to stop... Brown says he’s furious, and thinks Kairo-Scibeck deserves an “eye for an eye.” "My grandson tells the truth, all the time, all of the time. He never lies, he was afraid to tell the truth, that's how honest he is. He's afraid to tell the truth for repercussions to come.” The Defense says they’re prepared for trial. Frank Nocito added, "There were numerous, numerous inconsistencies and that's what we'll be exploring for trial Jill." Kairo-Scibeck is out on bail, she'll return to court on April 18th at the county court of common pleas.