Employee accused of excessive force on kindergartner fired

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio school safety and security employee has been fired after officials said he used excessive force on a kindergarten student.

The Canton City school board voted Monday to fire Shawn Poole, a school resource assistant for the district since 2017, for malfeasance of duty, the Canton Repository reported.

School district officials said an investigation found Poole, 45, used excessive force on Jan. 21 when he tried to stop a 6-year-old girl at McGregor Elementary from running out of the cafeteria, according to the newspaper, citing a termination letter obtained through a public record request.

Poole admitted to picking up and carrying the student, and said he did so to prevent her from exiting the building, the letter said. He said some of the witnesses could not have seen the interaction. The letter said he called their characterization of his demeanor incorrect.

Stephen Humphrey, director of safety and security, recommended Poole’s termination and said that Poole disregarded his training when handling the girl.

Poole could not be reached for comment Monday evening.