A former North Middle School teacher's aid is accused of abusing several special needs students was back in court Thursday. Julie Ann Parish answered to the charges against her in front of parents of the alleged victims.

Julie Ann Parish is charged with assault on a minor, a felony, and endangering the welfare of children, a misdemeanor. Parish pleaded not guilty to both charges in District Court, meaning at this point, this case will go to trial.

"I want it to go to trial,” said Molly Gillis, who says her daughter was abused in that North Middle School classroom. “I want them all to have their day in court and I just want justice for my daughter and for the other children that were in the classroom and were so maliciously abused by these people."

Parents of the alleged victims tell us there are now nine children from the North Middle school Special Education class involved in the case. Those in the group that came to court Thursday say they plan to attend every scheduled court appearance, even though they say it's painful to be there.

"It's difficult, very, very difficult to be in the same room with someone that you know hurt your child,” said Tiffonie Schilling, who says her son was abused by Parish. “Very, very difficult."

The parents involved in this case believe bringing this case to trial will force the Great Falls Public School District to take allegations like theirs more seriously, and prevent future cases of abuse.

Parish's trial is scheduled for March 29th of next year. A second former teacher's aid, Kristina Kallies is facing the same charges as Parish, but has not made any court appearances at this time.

-Reported by Andrea Fisher and Chris Grogan.