Shocking footage shows autistic boy, 7, dragged along hallway by two teachers
School surveillance footage has captured the shocking moment two teachers dragged a seven-year-old boy with autism down a hallway in a US school.
Corbin Kemle, of Ohio, is seen struggling with the two women after being picked up.
One woman is then seen dragging him by his foot as his face slides against the floor.
Both teachers have been placed on administrative leave, authorities told Inside Edition, but the public prosecutor closed the case and decided against pursuing felony charges.
But Corbin's mother Bonnie Kemle McKean told Inside Edition she thinks the teacher and her aide should at least be charged with misdemeanours for endangering her son.
“No charges were filed against these women,” she said. “It’s just not good enough.”
Ms McKean posted the video to her Facebook page Wednesday, where it has been viewed more than 142,000 times.
Ms McKean said she was called to the school that day with administrators telling her that Corbin was having a meltdown and biting and kicking. She said he was huddled on the floor when she arrived.
“He was visibly shaken up. He was hiding under a chair. He said: ‘I hungry, mommy.’”
A doctor had recently told Ms McKean that Corbin was experiencing a growth spurt and needed extra meals. The teachers were aware of this diagnosis.
She said she was appalled when she saw the video of the teachers physically restraining him.
"Trying to restrain him while he’s having a meltdown is the worst way to handle the situation," she said. “If you’re calm, he’s calm. He mirrors your mood back at you like 10 times more.”
The mum said she didn't know what to think at the time, but contacted police a week later, who reviewed the surveillance footage at the school.
“There’s a fine line between disciplining a child and abusing a child,” she said. “This was child abuse. He could have fallen, or been hurt while being dragged down the hall.”
Noreen Mullens, the school superintendent said the area does "not condone the type of behaviour that is seen in the video".
The state Board of Education is reviewing the case and “will move forward with disciplinary action,” Mullens said.
Corbin’s mother said the women should not be allowed in a classroom. “I don’t want any other person’s kid to go through this,” she said.
Newsbreak - August 13
