GREENSBURG SALEM TEACHER AND TWO AIDES PLEAD GUILTY

A Greensburg Salem teacher and two aides pleaded guilty and sentenced to probation for mistreating autistic elementary students at Nicely Elementary.  The Trib reports that 37-year-old Brooke Stanko, 61-year-old Teri Kepchia and 76-year-old Lorraine Robertson were accused of mistreating the special needs students by spraying a mix of soap and lemon juice in their mouths and restraining them in soundproofing mats.  A court ruling had eliminated an expert witness for the prosecution on how to treat children with autism.  Assistant DA Anthony Iannamorelli said after that, they opted to negotiate guilty pleas because of that.