Charges have been filed against an autistic 6-year-old, Nathan Darnell, of Brooksvile, Kentucky, by a teacher’s aide, Glenda Schlitz. As reported in the September 19th Ledger Independent,
According to his parents — Catherine and Anthony Darnell — on Sept. 7, 6-year-old Nathan had allegedly refused to eat his breakfast at school and was told by the teacher’s aide in the cafeteria he could lay his head down if he ate his breakfast. When he did not do it, the aid started to leave the area. Nathan then allegedly pushed the aide, Glenda Schlitz and caused her to fall to her knees. Schiltz’s alleged injuries are unknown to the family and according to official information, the aide did not seek medical attention.
According to the family, school officials offered a one-day suspension or the school would file charges. The family opted for the suspension.
“That did not occur,” said Bracken County School Superintendent Tony Johnson.
Then, on Sept. 13, the Darnells received notice of fourth-degree assault charges filed Sept. 11, against Nathan by Schiltz. The family had to meet with juvenile court officials on Tuesday.
Schlitz gave this description of what occurred:
According to the court complaint, the child “attacked (the aide) by running up behind her, grabbed her by her shirt pulling her backward, (aide) fell to her knees, (the child) then began to hit and kick her and was screaming and yelling.” The aide then got away and called on a telephone for help.
Catherine Darnell noted the use of the word “attacked” in reference to Nathan, against whom charges of fourth-degree assault have been filed.
Nathan being six years old, and having a disability (he has also been diagnosed with opposition defiant disorder), it seems that the school district needed to provide better supports for him, and having him appear in juvenile court (as he is to on September 25) seems extreme. Said Nathan’s father, Anthony Darnell:
“It is like they want people to believe we are bad people who won’t do anything about how he sometimes behaves. It is like they want you to beat autism out of him to make him do what they want and that is not right.”
It’s not right, nor is it right that Nathan Darnell is not getting the education he needs—and instead has a date in court.
I am going through the same thing..i was hesitant on signing an IEP for my child, age 6 so when 2 days of another child bothering mine, ended up my child defendind himself, my child got suspended for 10 days…I tried to fight it..I then signed an IEP because my child was being disruptive in class, only to have him suspended the 1st day in placement..for telling a child repeatedly to leave him alone, he did go to react, but the teacher intervened, her hand got scratched by trying to grab my child who simply pulled away-when I saw the incident report, it stated my child attacked the other child and the teacher..5 days back into his class, he was suspended again, the teacher told him no, he went to run off, the teacher tried to grab him, he pulled away her thumb got jammed by his pulling away, again statement said my child attacked the teacher, The latest is the best…
My child was playing with a soccor ball, another child smacked it out of his hands, then took the ball & pegged my child with the ball in his mouth, the teacher again went to grab my child, again my child didnt want to be touched, this time he hid his hands behind his back..i was told this by his teacher in front of the assistant principle, again in writing I read my child struck the other child(who was reprimanded for a moment for what he had done-not suspended) and it said my child struck the teacher…He is disruptive in class, he does not attack..he makes noises, sometimes refuses to do classwork…the teacher & school is trying to move him rather than implement his IEP…I am trying to get a lawyer…Many of my Parental Rights have also been violated along the way…If anyone has any info that can help in NYC, please, I will appreciate anything….Plead no contest just to try to get my sone back into his class, they r using that against him…
How did he have the strength to beat up his teacher? He’s six and the teacher is an adult.
Mary, Hi i am Nate’s dad. let me know what you hear back from the shows and attorney—-my snail mail is:
Anthony W. Darnell
5792 Bridgeville Road
Brooksville, Ky. 41004
We havent filed a suit yet, we have gone the paper=trail route first and are awaiting independent evaluations of Nathan to strengthen our claims. Look forward to hear from you.
In my letters ,I also mentioned about Nathans case, and I also enclosed the newspapaer article regarding his story. Like I said this needs to be addressed in an open forum. ]
Thanxs
Mary
Please let us know what you hear.
Hi
I have written my letters to Montel and Dr Phil
and I am anxiuosly awaiting a response
Also this school system is so arrogant !They do not respect the parents They do not know how to negotaite They treat adults just like children Its so sick its sad.
Jagallo
Nathans grandmom Hi my name is Mary Khalil My son is six years old and he is autistic also He was also suspended from school for 1 day and then was sent home bound for 30 We presently have a lawyer His crime was hitting another student. I have been trying to get a hold of you My email is luvcoair@ctc.net I have written to Dr Phil and Montel I m hoping to have this subject on a talk show so we can discuss this in an open forum We live in Raleigh NC Whats this world coming to when autistic children who have a disabilty and who cant fully understand the consequences of their actions are given less time than Lindsey Lohan, and Nicole Ritchie, or Paris Hilton I will also send certified latter to Dr Phil and Montel will you please contact them as well Im here to fight and I wont give up tell they come up with an adequate soltion to this problem.
These children didnt ask for this disability and most likely got it from the governements forcing of imminuzation shots
Nathan is on homebound. The school is still not set up to deal with the problems he has.The do not want to pay out the dollars that it would cost to set programs in place for children like Nathan. Adults want small children to act like adults but they do not have the time and the patience to teach then to be children first. What is our world coming to.
I was gald to see someone is still reading and posting to this site.
Nathan’s grandmother.
My child was removed from the school sytem
for thirty days for biting another student and no behivior manifestation was done They are sneaky too