Nine more employees of a now-closed Massachusetts school for boys with autism and behavioral disorders have been charged with physically abusing students, raising the number of employees charged to 16.
The Berkshire Eagle reports that eight former Eagleton School employees were arraigned on assault and battery and other charges in Southern Berkshire District Court on Monday. A warrant is out for the arrest of a ninth. All pleaded not guilty and were released on personal recognizance.
Sixteen former employees of the private Great Barrington school have now been charged in the case. The state closed the school last month despite staff efforts to correct problems cited by state education officials.
Forty-two students have been relocated to other facilities or schools.
Police say the investigation is ongoing.
