School evacuated after teacher's aide suffers apparent breakdown

Police and administrators at Van Nuys Elementary School were investigating an incident on campus Monday that triggered an emergency evacuation. The issue reportedly involved a teacher's aide who may have suffered a mental breakdown, KTLA reports.

The woman, identified as Linda Hovanec, arrived at school [that] morning, jumped out of her car and ran onto campus, parents said.

"We saw the car here with the door open and I called the school ... 'everything is fine, don't worry,'" said parent Blanca Cardenas.

But Cardenas said what she saw on campus was far from fine.

Hovanec reportedly banged on classroom doors, threw papers in the air and climbed on top of a table, witnesses said. A student witnessed her screaming at a wall, yelling at children who weren't there.

"Due to a safety concern we had to contact school police, Los Angeles Fire Department, and the paramedics," according to a phone message left for parents by principal Franne Goldstein following the incident.

Hovanec was transported to the Van Nuys police station where she was booked on suspicion of assault, according to Sgt. Steve Gottschalk.

In a letter sent home to parents on Monday, school administrations said, "Those involved were treated for non life-threatening injuries and the employee will not be returning to our school."

KTLA's Christina Pascucci and Mary Beth McDade contributed to this story.