A former Horace Mann Middle School teacher's aide is headed to jail for his role in abusing students in a special needs classroom.

Walter Pannell, 72, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of misdemeanor battery in the high-profile case that also landed charges against the classroom's teacher and two other aides more than a year ago.

On Wednesday, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Carrie Webster sentenced him to a year in jail and two years of probation.

Vankisha Hill, the mother of one of the students who was abused in the classroom, told the court in a victim impact statement that she doesn't trust anyone anymore because of what happened to her autistic son at school.

"If the media had to see the videos that I had to endure as well as the other two parents in the back, your family would be humiliated," Hill said. "You would be embarrassed. You would be horrified because I was."

Pannell told the court he was truly sorry and wanted forgiveness from the families.

"I am truly sorry for what happened," Pannell said. "I apologize to the family and kids for my actions. I never wanted to hurt anybody in my life. I just want to apologize to them and ask them if they can find it in their hearts to forgive me for what I did."

Pannell will self-report to jail on Aug. 5.