Special School District employee on leave after family says she abused non-verbal, autistic child
ST. LOUIS COUNTY (First Alert 4) - A Riverview Gardens School District family is shaken after what they say happened to their 6-year-old daughter at Meadows Elementary School.
The aunt, who wants to remain anonymous tells First Alert 4, “Like we sent her to school to get an education, not to get to school, to get beat.”
According to the child’s mom, “It was a teacher who reported it. She took down her notes and everything. And reported it outside of the school to DFS and then DFS called me.”
The woman claims last Thursday, she received a call that shook her to her core.
She says the Missouri Department of Social Services notified her about physical and verbal abuse her 6-year-old daughter suffered at the hands of her special needs teacher.
The mom tells First Alert 4 about the abuse that was described saying, “The lady grabbed her, tossed my baby. My baby went one way, her glasses one another way. She called my baby a stupid *****. a dirty *****.”
According to the family, the 6-year-old is autistic and nonverbal.
“I don’t know how to trust a school like with her being nonverbal,” says the kindergartener’s mother.
First Alert 4 reached out to the Riverview Gardens School District and the Special School District. Both sent statements:
“Riverview Gardens School District recently received information about allegations related to an SSD service provider who provided services to students at Meadows Elementary School. The alleged matter is being investigated by the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division and the SSD employee at issue is currently on istrative leave. Parents of students who received services from these SSD employees at Meadows Elementary have all been notified. Because the matter is under active investigation, Riverview Gardens is not able to share any details about the alleged incident. However, student safety is a top priority for both the District and our partners at SSD. We aim to foster a school environment that is safe and welcoming for all of our children, especially our most vulnerable students. We are working with SSD to review this matter and possible s Riverview Gardens may be able to provide to promote the students’ well-being.””
“Our top priority at SSD is ensuring the safety and well-being of students, and we take these allegations very seriously. We are thoroughly investigating the matter in collaboration with the Riverview Gardens School District and the Missouri Department of Social Services, Children’s Division. As this is an active investigation, we are unable to share additional details at this time.”
Copyright 2024 KMOV. All rights reserved.
