The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
A special needs elementary school teacher and her aide are facing charges after allegedly tying a non-verbal autistic youngster to a chair during recess.
According to reports, on February 2, a woman who has worked at G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary School as an Exceptional Student Education teacher for approximately 2 years was recently involved in an incident with a 7-year-old child. Her teacher’s aide was also reportedly a participant.
When the students are taken from one part of the school to another, the teachers use a walking rope to make the transition easier and keep the children from wandering. During recess, the woman and her aide reportedly used some of the ropes to restrain the boy, who was sitting on the ground, by tying him to the back of a chair. He was allegedly left there for at least an hour.
The boy has a sister who attends the same school, and when they got home, she told their mother about what she saw. She reportedly said her brother was crying while he was bound to the chair.
The authorities were notified, and an investigation was opened. It was reported that the incident was recorded on video, and when the footage was reviewed, the police saw the event.
On February 5, the teacher was taken into custody and booked into the Manatee County Jail. She was initially facing preliminary charges for one count of battery — touch or strike, but according to reports, it is expected that it will be upgraded to one count of false imprisonment. She was released on a $500 bond the following day.
The Bradenton Police Department is still pursuing the teacher’s aide, who is facing the same charges. They also reported that they are trying to find out if there are additional alleged victims.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.