School shaves little girl's head without parent's permission 'for hygiene reasons'

A US mother claims her seven-year-old daughter's head was shaved bald without her permission.

Denise Robinson's daughter Tru lives at a care school for vulnerable children called Little Heroes and was taken for a hair cut last week.

The naturally curly haired girl was allegedly told her hair would grow back straight.

Ms Robinson - whose daughter's hair was previously down to her back - said the school told her the hair cut was for hygiene reasons, 7News in Boston reports.

"There was no hygiene-type reason for them to shave my child’s head. There was no head lice. There was no bed bugs," Ms Robinson, who is now working with a lawyer, said.

"Her hair was two pony tails on the side on Saturday and it was braided in the ponytails and there was nothing wrong."

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is now investigating.

Before the haircut, Robinson’s attorney, Richard Kendell, said a school volunteer told Tru "by shaving her head, her hair would grow back straight," CBS Boston reports.

Ms Robinson said she feels as though her daughter - who is mixed race - was "violated".

"They made a game out of it, and gave her candy while they were cutting her hair," she told USA Today.

"Then, after they cut her hair, they told her 'oh, it will grow back straight, don't worry'."

Mr Kendall believes it was about the girl's race.

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"I'm not afraid to say it. I'll talk about the elephant in the room. I believe it's a biracial matter," The Mirror reports.

"She’s a very emotionally damaged young lady with behavioural issues, and to put this on top of the whole entire thing is really rough."

Speaking to 7 News Boston, Denise added: "When you have a mixed race child and you shave her head bald, that's a statement right there.

In a statement, the school said: "Decisions regarding grooming are based on a variety of factors, including hygiene."

"A review of the circumstances is underway to determine what occurred and, if necessary, appropriate action will be taken.”