26-year-old mental health worker arrested after alleged assault at Welland school

Niagara police have made a second arrest in an ongoing investigation into allegations of assaults at a Welland school.

In April, officers began investigating allegations of assault taking place at the Mountainview Centre for Innovative Learning located on Merrittville Highway.

Classrooms in the school function with a teacher and a mental health counsellor providing specialized programs for children with various mental health and learning challenges.

Police were contacted after concerns were raised that a mental health counsellor was using restraint techniques outside the scope of their training on a child at the school.

Investigators determined that the counsellor used excessive force and assaulted a child.

As a result of the initial investigation, 22-year-old Madison Porkolab of Grimsby was charged with a single count of assault.

Later on May 15, detectives arrested and charged a second mental health worker at the school. Natasha Bennett, 26, of Welland was charged with a single count of assault.

Authorities believe there may be more victims and are asking those impacted to come forward.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact police at 905-688-4111, option 3, ext. 1008430.

Those wishing to provide information anonymously can do so through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or via their website.

READ MORE: Police charge mental health worker accused of assaulting child at Welland school