Boston Schools Place Staff on Leave After Pre-K Child Strapped to Chair at Condon School
Boston Public Schools has put several employees on leave and opened an investigation after a 3-year-old at the James F. Condon School in South Boston was restrained with nylon straps fastened to a chair with duct tape.
By Ishani Kapalli ·
Several Boston Public Schools employees have been placed on leave after a young child was strapped to a chair at a South Boston school, an episode district officials described as "deeply concerning."
A BPS spokesperson confirmed that the student, who attends the James F. Condon School, was held in place with nylon straps that had been attached to a chair with duct tape. According to WBZ, which first reported the story, the incident took place on Feb. 14.
In a letter sent to pre-kindergarten families at the Condon last Thursday, Region 2 Superintendent Mary Driscoll said school officials had only recently learned of the "inappropriate use of restraints on students." She told families the matter was being fully addressed in line with school and district policies.
"The BPS Office of Specialized Services is in direct contact with the school to support staff with proper district protocols regarding the use of student restraints," Driscoll wrote.
BPS Superintendent Mary Skipper said in a statement that the district acted immediately, placing an unspecified number of the staff members involved on leave. She said the investigation is continuing and that the district is working with the broader community so that every student feels safe, secure and welcome.
"This incident is deeply concerning and goes against our values and policies as a school district," Skipper said. She added that officials understand how difficult the situation has been for the student and the family, and that the district will keep working directly with them to provide the support they need to feel safe and keep learning at BPS.
The child's mother, Anacelia Cuevas, told The Boston Globe on Monday that her son is 3 years old. She said she learned of the incident about two weeks after it occurred, when the state Department of Children and Families called her. Based on the DCF report, she said, a teacher entered the boy's classroom and found him strapped to the chair. A DCF spokesperson told Boston.com that the agency received a report and is investigating.
Cuevas told the Globe her son shows symptoms of autism and is "basically nonverbal," although he has not yet received a formal diagnosis. She has since withdrawn him and his twin brother from the Condon.
"I'm in denial," Cuevas told the newspaper. "I just don't want to believe that this happened to my son."
Source: Boston.com
