Child abuse charges dropped against Clovis special needs aide

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Child abuse charges are being dropped against an instructional aide who worked at Clovis Unified.

Spencer Perkins worked with special needs students at Reagan Elementary in East Clovis. He faced misdemeanor child abuse charges, after he restrained a 10-year-old student on a bus.

Perkins' attorney says the student was spitting and head butting Perkins before he was restrained. Surveillance video was captured of the incident and used as evidence in the case.

Perkins' attorney says there was no proof of wrongdoing in that video and Perkins was trained to do what he did. "It has caused him a significant...it's been a glitch in his life. I'm glad we're able to put this behind us now," said Mark Broughton, Perkins' attorney.

Perkins can't put this all behind him just yet. A second lawsuit was filed by the parents of the young boy against Perkins and Clovis Unified. That case is currently in the litigation process at Fresno Superior Court.