SAN DIEGO — A mother says her 5-year-old, non-verbal autistic son was physically and emotionally abused by an Educational Specialist assigned to his classroom at Creekside Elementary.
“This has left our child and family traumatized,” said Kathie, who is not releasing her last name to protect her son. She says her child, Connor, started attending the school in August for Kindergarten, but within weeks, he faced abusive conditions.
“School is supposed to be a safe haven for our children,” she said. “We entrusted Creekside Elementary, it's administrators, teachers and staff to enrich our child's life. Instead, our child was physically and emotionally abused for months without it being reported.”
According to a lawsuit that alleges battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, the Educational Specialist has been identified as James Reed.
“Reed was terrorizing, bullying, and assaulting Connor on a daily basis,” attorney John Gomez said. Gomez is representing Connor and his family.
They're suing the Poway Unified School District, Reed, and a contractor that provides classroom aides.
“Among other things, Reed grabbed and lifted Connor off the ground, shoved Connor's head with his hand, slapped Connor's cheeks and asked him what are you going to do?,” Gomez said at a news conference Monday announcing the lawsuit.
He claims the incidents happened in front of other school employees who failed to tell administrators what happened - despite mandatory reporting laws.
“One time, he made Connor go outside in the rain and left him there outside soaking wet with his pants down to his knees and his diaper exposed,” Gomez added.
The lawsuit also claims Reed has a past conviction for child abuse, but CBS 8 could not confirm that through criminal record searches. Gomez says what was happening finally came to light in January when Connor physically fought back and staff members had to intervene.
“Teachers and aided finally reported the abuse to the school's principal who placed Reed on administrative leave,” Gomez said.
CBS 8 reached out to Reed for a comment, but he wasn't home.
The district sent us a statement saying in part, "Toward the end of his brief tenure, concerns were raised by staff related to his interactions with a student." They say Reed was placed on administrative leave and resigned in February.