Special Ed Teacher Charged with Abuse; Is Still Teaching
October 11, 2008 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
A special education teacher in New Britain, Connecticut, is still teaching and on the school district’s payroll, the October 11th Hartford Courant reports. A warrant was issued for the arrest of Michelle Campbell on Thursday; she was released after posting $5000 bail. Campbell taught a special education class with ten autistic students at the Chamberlain School and is accused of slapping a child and splashing water into the face of another; the children are boys ages 5 to 7. The incident occurred last May and campaign will be arraigned October 23rd on three counts of risk of injury to a minor and four counts of cruelty to persons. Campbell’s co-workers reported the abuse.
This is hardly the first time I’ve written charges of abuse by school personnel or other staff to autistic individuals and it’s hardly a fair portrait of all that most aides, teachers and others do.
We have to figure out how to do better.
I witnessed a teacher do way worse than that when I was an aide years ago. I reported it and she was asked to resign. That was it. Nothing more. Argh.
Yes, these incidents have to stop. One reason I think the language we use in regards to Autism and special needs is so important. Also, how the media portrays families raising special needs children.
It’s really good you said something—-one suspects these incidents happen a lot more than they get reported.
I wonder why it took so long to charge her with 7 felony counts? I sure hope the two boys who got the most abuse haven’t been near her since May. It’s just revolting, how could she live with herself? UGH! I hate hearing stories like this! But it’s necessary.
Friday, October 10, 2008
State by State Listing of Locations that Have Allegedly Engaged in Restraint, Seclusion, or Abuse
The Coalition for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Blog
As far as more incidents than reports–of that, I have no doubt.
On the list of locations that have allegedly engaged in restaint, seculsion, or abuse some 141 cases are listed. Among them 29 cases resulted in the death of the child. That is sickening. I hope some of the responsible parties have faced criminal charges.
Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA.org) “There are hundreds of incidents. The most sensational make the news, but that is the tip of the iceberg.”
Coalition Against Institutionalized Children (Caica.org) has documented 128 deaths of children nationwide from the use of restraints and seclusion, many in residential facilities, but some in schools”…
Correction and my apologies,
Coalition Against Institutionalized Child Abuse (Caica.org)
And why is the teacher still in a classroom despite the charges, which are felonies?
From the October 24th New Britain Herald: Parents have formed an advocacy group. The teacher, Michelle Campbell, has pleaded not guilty to criminal charges stemming from the incidents.
McCarthy’s trial started yesterday. From the Chicago Tribune: