Behavioural therapist charged after eight-year-old boy assaulted at Toronto home

TORONTO -- A behavioural therapist has been charged after an eight-year-old boy was assaulted during a session at a Toronto home.

Police said the therapist was providing services to the boy in the Dufferin Street and Queen Street West area on Jan. 17 when she allegedly assaulted him. 

Amelia Chandra, who was employed by AlphaBee Autism ABA Behavioral Therapy Services in Toronto, was arrested on Jan. 23, police said.

Police said the 31-year-old provided behavioural therapy in various homes across Toronto. 

Chandra has been charged with assault and assault causing bodily harm. The charges have not been tested in court.

In a statment to CTV News Toronto, AlphaBee CEO Dunya Marijan-Winterson said Chandra was "immediately suspended" as soon as they became aware of the situation.

"We have zero tolerance for harassment and abuse of any kind and take these allegations extremely seriously. We value the trust families place in us to work with their children each and every day, and we will continue to work hard to earn that trust."

Marijan-Winterson added that the two other families who worked with the accused have beeen notified of the allegations and AlphaBee has offered them additional resources and support.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2922 or through Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS.