By Joe Ulery
10/15/2008
A former Perry Township teacher faces criminal charges for allegedly slapping an autistic student three times.
Special education teacher Thomas Cripe resigned last august after the schools threatened to fire him.
He is pleading not guilty to felony battery charges. Co-workers say they saw the teacher smack the 20 year-old Rise Learning Center student, making him cry.
Cripe admits striking the student, but says it's because he felt threatened and the student was being disruptive.
An attorney for the teacher says criminal charges are unfounded.
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