GANANDA, N.Y. — A group of parents and supporters gathered outside the Gananda Central School District Wednesday to protest the arrest of a parent, who police say got into a physical altercation with a school employee late last week.

Moms for Liberty is a nonprofit that says it advocates for parent choice and parent rights in education. They were outside the Richard Mann Elementary School, defending Laine Mulye, who police say was arrested by the Macedon Police Department last week for second-degree harassment and endangering the welfare of a child -- both misdemeanors.

“It was grossly exaggerated what happened,” Chairperson Jennifer Williams said. “And the fact that it even hit the media from a singular point of view is grossly negligent.”

Police say Mulye got into a physical altercation with a bus monitor during a dispute about her child wearing a mask. They also say she encouraged her child to punch the employee. But Williams says the 10-year-old student was autistic, with a medical exemption for wearing a mask.

“Why did they still try to put a mask on a child?” Williams said. “Why? That’s the story. And if a mother intervenes to protect her child who is autistic -- he has sensory issues. Wearing a mask isn’t possible for every child.”

The Gananda Central School District’s superintendent sent a letter to parents Friday defending the staff member and their decision to file a police report. The letter also said medical exemptions can be honored if submitted to the district, but the district has not confirmed if Mulye’s child had one or not.

Moms for Liberty members want to see support staff get more training when dealing with students in special education.

“They used an overzealous aide who was not trained on how to handle an autistic child who is already in crisis,” Williams alleged. “She escalated the situation." There has been no confirmation yet on whether the school employee had the type of training being alleged by Williams.

Member Teresa Jefferi hopes the issue gets resolved in court, but for now, her thoughts are with the child.

“We’re going to have to wait and see on that,” Jefferi said. “But in the meantime, we have a 10-year-old autistic child who is being harmed by all these people running around screaming obscenities to people just trying to stand up for a special needs child. He had more rights than he was given that day.”

Mulye was transported to Wayne County Jail following her arrest to await arraignment.