Reported by: Eric English
Email: eenglish@wptv.com
Photographer: Eric English
Last Update: 7:19 pm
July 16, 2008
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL-- You will probably remembe the case of Alex Barton. His mother claims he was ‘voted out of his classroom’ by his classmates several months ago. Now another parent in St Lucie county is suing the school district claiming her son was also abused.
“I almost passed out when he went like that because I couldn't breath.”
Isaiah Moore recounts an April 2007 incident he and his mother say they will never forget.
Video supplied to Isaiah's mother by the school district shows the then second grader, who is in the autistic spectrum, being escorted down a hallway to a conference room by a behavior specialist.
His mother says what's not on the video is the abuse that happened next.
Anna Moore says, “He was dragging him down the hallway into a little room. The little room they went into is where my son says he started restraining him again...and my son suffered a busted lip, cervical strain, busted lip.”
The video cuts, but later shows the boy along with additional staff walking back through the halls. Isaiah seems to be favoring his back.
Photos taken later that day show the scrapes and bruises and cuts Isaiah suffered.
Anna says “There are verified findings that there was physical abuse, bizarre punishment and maltreatment to my child...yet I can't get anyone to press charges and this man is probably still working with children.”
Now in private school, his mom says Isaiah is getting the compassion in education she says he needs and wants her lawsuit to help set standards for dealing with exceptional children in a school district that has seen been called to question for the way it treats autistic children.
“I am coming forward because there are no laws to protect our children. I thought this was clear cut abuse, and something is going to happen...nothing has happened. Nothing has happened.”
The school district would not comment on the pending litigation.
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3 comments:
I live in Ms, and also have a special needs child. He was also abused by his teacher. He was locked in the bathroom after soiling himself. Nothing has been done to this teacher and she is still working with children.
Yestheirmine:
So sorry to hear this. I understand how you feel. To the best of my knowledge, the aides who restrained my daughter are still employed by our school district as well. It's quite frustrating and was just a small part of the reason why we created this blog.
Would you mind sharing the name of the school for our school list? For the past year we've been "tracking" schools who have "allegedly" used restraints, seclusions, or other abusive practices in schools. We started off with I think 6 names, and now we have over 100. You can find the full list at http://familiesagainstrestraintandseclusion.blogspot.com/.
Best regards,
Jen & Phyllis
Yes:
The full address is familiesagainstrestraintandseclusion .blogspot. com (just take out the spaces.)
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