Advertisement

WATCH: Boy with autism bursts into tears on stage after teacher snatches microphone from him

The tragic moment a six-year-old boy with autism burst into tears after a teacher snatched away a microphone as he was about to deliver a line on stage has been captured on video by his furious parents.

Parents Kent Squires and Amanda Riddle filmed the incident during a Thanksgiving play on November 15 at Nutter Fort Primary School in Harrison County, West Virginia.

Caleb was playing a turkey during a Thanksgiving play. Photo: YouTube
Caleb was playing a turkey during a Thanksgiving play. Photo: YouTube

Caleb was playing a turkey in the production and he can be seen approaching the microphone in the video to say his line: "gobble gobble".

As he walked towards the microphone a teacher can be seen quickly approaching the stage and abruptly grabbing the microphone.

"What does it matter if he wanted to say gobble gobble?" Ms Riddle, wrote in a post put up along with the video.

In the video, the heartbroken Caleb can be heard screaming "Oh no”, before he begins to cry on stage.

Caleb's parents shared the video on social media and hundreds of people have rallied behind them, outraged at the teacher's harsh actions.

The clip has sparked a furious response from fellow parents and teachers, many of whom described the teacher's behaviour as "outrageous".

Caleb began sobbing in front of the audience. Photo: Facebook
Caleb began sobbing in front of the audience. Photo: Facebook

One mother wrote: "Not only did she crunch that sweet child's heart by doing that, but she is showing the other students that kind of behavior is OK. It isn't OK at all."

Ms Squires wrote on Facebook: "This is my little boy in his thanksgiving play".

"He has level one high functioning autism he has the biggest heart and always happy.

"I am reaching out to see if something can be done."

Ms Riddle said she left the school in tears after the incident.

"I left in tears because one teacher grabbed the microphone from Caleb and in a mean way," she said.

"I'm sick of kids that are not considered "normal" be treated the way they are."

The school's Superintendent Mark Manchin told WDTV that the moment in question came after the play had already ended.

"It was a mistake but there was no malice," he said.

Amanada Riddle (right) said she left the school in tears after the incident. Photo: Facebook
Amanada Riddle (right) said she left the school in tears after the incident. Photo: Facebook

"This teacher, as all of our teachers, truly care about these young boys and girls,” he said.

"The program was over, at least as I understand, and the teacher had taken the microphone."

He said that if they had to do it over again they would probably “do it a little differently”.

The school chose not to name the teacher and said they will be making more enquiries into the incident.

RELATED VIDEO