GOLDEN, Colo. (Aug. 12, 2026) –The First Judicial District Attorney’s Office has charged Cynthia Ann Monroe, 60, with two criminal counts, including felony assault and misdemeanor child abuse of a developmentally disabled student at Ute Meadows Elementary School in Littleton.
On April 16, 2026, Deputies from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) responded to Ute Meadows Elementary after school staff reported witnessing Monroe forcibly grabbing a student and dragging them by the arm. The student, described in the affidavit as developmentally disabled and supported by an Individualized Education Program (IEP), was allegedly dragged on the ground by their forearms for several seconds and more than ten feet before another staff member intervened. According to the affidavit, the child sustained visible injuries.
The investigation determined that Monroe had worked at the school as a paraprofessional since approximately 2014 and was terminated following this incident.
On June 22, First Judicial District Attorney’s Office prosecutors filed the following charges:
Count 1: Assault in the Third Degree – At-Risk Person, C.R.S. 18-6.5-103(3)(c); 18-3-204(1)(a) (F6)
Count 2: Child abuse, C.R.S. 18-6-401(1)(a), (7)(a)(V) (M1)
A warrant for Monroe’s arrest was issued that same day.
In July, Monroe appeared on her warrant and posted a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
The first arraignment is set for August 31 at 10:30 A.M.
Anyone with information related to these allegations is encouraged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The filing of criminal charges is a formal accusation that a defendant committed a crime under Colorado law. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.