Spokane dance teacher accused of slapping autistic 8-year-old girl

A longtime Spokane dance teacher was arrested last month after she was accused of assaulting an 8-year-old autistic girl during a dance competition.

Cynthia L. Hamilton, who founded HYPER-Formance Jazz Dance Club in the early 1990s, has been charged with second-degree assault of a child in connection with the March 22 incident. The club is promoted as a place for those who want to dance “regardless of age, gender, financial status, physical or mental disability.”

Hamilton, who also works as a real estate agent, was released on her own recognizance after appearing in court on the charge. She has no previous criminal record.

Neither Hamilton nor her attorney returned calls requesting comment.

The alleged incident occurred during the dance club’s annual performance at the Bing Crosby Theater in downtown Spokane. The 14-year-old sister of the girl said the girl was upset about not winning an award and was having a “tantrum,” according to court records. The girl’s older sister said Hamilton entered the room and grabbed the autistic girl by the throat. The girl reportedly said, “I can’t breathe” and dropped to the ground. Her older sister said Hamilton straddled the girl and slapped her, according to court documents.

The girl’s sister ran to get help from another dance instructor. The second instructor told police that when she entered the room the girl was on her stomach on the floor with Hamilton straddling her and holding both of the girl’s arms behind her back, according to court documents. The 8-year-old appeared to be having a seizure because her eyes were not focused and there was saliva and foam dripping from her mouth, the instructor said.

Officers took photographs of the girl’s injuries, which included bruises and scratches on her face, arms and neck, court documents said. The officer who interviewed Hamilton said she told him that she had been dealing with several other issues and “could not handle any outburst by the victim,” according to court documents.

Hamilton reportedly admitted slapping the girl “to get her focus,” but denied strangling her.