School called police to deal with autistic student

JAY COUNTY, Ind. (WANE) - FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - The mother of an autistic child says her son was handcuffed after his school did not follow his individualized education program.

Redkey Elementary School leaders say Majenica Moles' 10-year-old son Austin had a meltdown and that's why they called police to intervene.

It apparently happened nearly two weeks ago while he was playing dodgeball with some other students.

"They thought that they had the behavior under control, he seemed like he was calming down, and they didn't want me to come down," Moles said.

Every special needs child has something called an individualized education program or IEP. In Austin's, when he acts out his mom is supposed to be called to the school to intervene. This time the police were.

"When I got there, Austin was already in the office. He was calming down. He was already handcuffed."

According to the incident report, Austin was climbing on tables, spitting, and kicking. Moles was even more disturbed by what school officials apparently told Austin after he had his meltdown.

"They said every time he has a behavior they'll lock him up and hopefully eventually it will get through his head that he can't do this stuff."

NewsChannel 15's Megan Reust called to get the school's side of things. Officials weren't willing to talk and forwarded Reust to their Attorney who had this to say: "Even with parental consent I think it's really not appropriate for them to comment on a specific students situation," Jay Co. School Corporation Attorney Susan Traynor said.

Moles' biggest concern is her son may become fearful of going to school knowing that if he can't control his behaviors he'll be arrested again.

"No child should be treated like that. Especially a child that isn't always in control of their own behaviors and emotion," Moles said.

Moles isn't sure whether she'll send Austin back to Redkey Elementary or homeschool him. According to her, she has grounds to file a lawsuit against the school.