Former Bristol Special Education Teacher Convicted for Mistreating Autistic Student

Stephanie Kleinfelder, 26, of Levittown, was found guilty by Magisterial District Judge Terrance Hughes of a summary charge of harassment involving physical contact and was ordered to pay a $150 fine. The conviction stems from a December 2025 classroom incident in which Kleinfelder grabbed a 7-year-old student’s wrist, forced his hand to strike his own face twice while yelling at him, testimony said; two classroom aides said the actions violated crisis prevention and de-escalation protocol. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney David O’Beirne, the office’s Safe Schools Advocate; Kleinfelder was placed on administrative leave, charged by summons in February, and resigned in March.