UK & World News
- 6 December 2012, 16:41
Blind Pupil Dragged Down Corridor By Teachers
A Santa Fe teacher who dragged a blind six-year-old special needs student by the ankle has been suspended after video of the incident went viral.
The woman, who was not identified, said the boy was unco-operative when she asked him to walk with her to another classroom at Gonzales Community School.
Another teacher joined in and grabbed his other leg, while a third person stood watching.
The teacher said she was not trying to harm the boy, but police said the act was still negligent.
"We don't believe the teacher was intentionally trying to hurt the child, but our problem is the blatant neglect for his safety," said Sergeant Andrea Dobyns, from the Santa Fe Police Department.
"The boy's parents like this teacher ... (She) has been working with their child for quite some time," she added.
The child's family did not want to press charges, but both teachers who were caught on camera could be prosecuted for child abuse.
The third person, who did not intervene, could also face charges for failing to report the incident.
The child complained to a school nurse that his head hurt afterwards, but he required no medical attention.
The incident occurred on November 15, but police were not notified until a week later by school staff.
Update:
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what do you think?
Nat_j2b
The parents didn't want to press charges??! Why on earth not??
ali baba
its an interesting point. maybe the child has some really difficult behavioral problems but at end of day, its just not acceptable
HARLEY1974
Disgraceful.Unacceptable.
Adrian Wagstaff
1. It seems to be a very polished floor. 2. He doesn't seem to be arguing, struggling or fighting. 3. He appears very relaxed and is putting his right hand under his head. 4. I think it's probably a safer way for a blind child to get to the next class than walking along a highly polished floor. Whether it's right or wrong, I think these points should be considered. Perhaps, it might have been better to place him on a piece of carpet or blanket first? Does he have some kind of legal right to not attend his next lesson? During the 1940s my mum and her friends had hard blackboard dusters thrown at them and she was forced to play hockey in her underwear during the winter, so she says. She also had her knuckles hit by canes, as did her friends.
Adj Jackson
The board rubber was still used as a useful projectile in the 70's also and a very good shot they were to. The secret was to remove all evidence of chalk dust before arriving home and the mandetory clip round the side of the head
Kerry Carline
This is disgusting.my son is autistic and has bad behavioral problems especially at nursery and whilst i understand that things have to be done to ensure his safety as well as others if having a melt down there is no way that this is acceptable.these people are there to understand and protect children.i find it appalling that the parents are not taking it any further.if it was me i would want heads to roll and do what ever it took to make sure they did.
Colin Tiso
well said kerry all the 3 adults concerned should loose their jobs and never be aloud to teach again
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Debra Wiseman
Nice
peter
With a child like this the teachers certainly have a big job on their hands. Their responsibility however never ends and the teaching staff here sould possibly be "spoken to" about dealing with children with special needs. The only people, in some cases, that understand how to deal with their children are their parents, but they cannot be with them all of the time. Peter. Holmfirth.
Brian Holmes
12:50pm on 6/12/2012
Reminds me of my old school.