13 Responses to “Battery Charge Dropped Against 13-Year Old Autistic Student”

1. David Huie Green on January 29th, 2012 2:04 pm

   NOONE being present in the classroom that could tell a different side of the story other than a child that cant speak. ”

   The room wasn’t empty and the others could speak even if not well. It is not necessary to imagine some other crime to explain this action.

   For all we know, maybe the teacher has a mild form of autism, while we’re imagining scenarios without information.

   David considering not considering
   facts not in evidence

2. lisa on January 29th, 2012 9:21 am

   Well its easy too see that there are alot of people in our counties that truly dont understand just how hard it is on the familys and the children that are mentally ill or has a condition that requires fulltime care to help them be able too atleast have some type of life in this really hard world we live in these days. It saden me that grown people have such little compasion for a child that doesnt know he was doin wrong, these children act out this way when the emotions get too be too hard too understand. when the children are put in a forced postion they become upset and has no way too show emotions, the way we as well people can do. NOONE being present in the classroom that could tell a different side of the story other than a child that cant speak. JUST MAYBE,and only sayin “just maybe” the teacher tried to MAKE this child put his headphones away to start learnin, as too him being forced caused an emotion that he couldnt control. With children you have too let them choice on their on time slowly so that it doesnt triger out burst. Its NOT EASY by all means and we look it like they are the children we are the adults and they WILL LISTEN AN DO AS TOLD TOO…But with special needs children its very different they cant feel treated. I’M JUS SAYIN THAT MAYBE IF THE WORLD HAD MORE INFO TO UJNDERSTAND OUR MENTAL ILL OR OTHER ILLNESS WE WOULD NOT BE SO JUDGEMENTAL ON THE THEM. AND IT WOULD MAKE IT SAFER FOR THEM AS WELL AS OTHERS THAT INTERACT WITH THEM.

3. David Huie Green on January 28th, 2012 10:47 am

   REGARDING:
   “The fact that charges were brought to begin with is unacceptable.

   So you believe the teacher should have been fired for bringing charges for injuries?

   I was hit by a desk once while subbing by a student with poor aim trying to hit another student. I didn’t file charges, since I figured anyone working in Century knew what they might face. That doesn’t mean no teacher in any situation should be allowed to file charges. If I understand correctly, she is a speech therapist, not a wrestling coach.

   AND
   “Thank God our judicial system recognized that and did the right thing.”

   Yes, I appreciate our judicial system and am not afraid to let them deal with such matters. I wouldn’t prejudge a case and tell someone they couldn’t seek relief from injury.

   AND
   “Special needs children do not deserve to be hidden away from society or not permitted to interact with their peers.

   No, they don’t, but if their interaction involves hurting others, those being targeted should have some rights to safety too. When a classroom goes wild, it is impossible for one person to deal with even ten who are rioting. It doesn’t matter how well trained she is — not enough hands or heads.

   “We have come a long way in our society but have a long way to go when there are people who still believe that. All I know to say to those who believe otherwise is “But by the grace of God go you” ”

   And if I were a danger to other children, I would hope someone would protect them from me. That’s part of how the grace of God is bestowed.

   David for honesty and care for all

4. Escambia Citizen on January 28th, 2012 9:43 am

   David, your example which depicts “A citizen being injured by another person” simply does not apply in this case! This was not some random citizen lashing out at some other citizen. This was an Autistic boy in a classroom with his teacher who CHOSE this profession! When you choose to work with special needs children you know what can happen. If you cannot handle the ramifications of such a profession then you need to move on…..The fact that charges were brought to begin with is unacceptable. Thank God our judicial system recoginzed that and did the right thing. Special needs children do not deserve to be hidden away from society or not permitted to interact with their peers. We have come a long way in our society but have a long way to go when there are people who still believe that. All I know to say to those who believe otherwise is “But by the grace of God go you”

5. SW on January 27th, 2012 5:15 am

   Once again, the system has failed the victim.

6. No Excuses on January 26th, 2012 7:47 pm

   I’ve commented on this case before, so I’ll just say that I think the charges were pressed because the child was inappropriately placed at FPMS. Sadly, this happens sometimes, and parents can sometimes be resistant to moving the child to a more appropriate setting, even upon the advice of the staff at the school (who are VERY AWARE that these kids have outbursts – duh.) It sounds like he has been placed in a more secure and restrictive environment where his educational, language and emotional needs will be met, and that is a good thing.
   Hopefully, all parties can now move forward in a constructive manner.

7. lawman on January 26th, 2012 2:45 pm

   This kid should have never been charged. It falls on the job of law enforcement to evaluate the circumstances and decide if charges are necessary. Yes the victim has the right to press charges, but it does not take a scientist to see the kid was not able to speak his own mind. Glad the state attorneys office got this problem taken care of

8. David Huie Green on January 26th, 2012 11:18 am

   REGARDING:
   “It’s these kinds of charges that make a complete mockery of our police and judicial system; ”

   I don’t see it as making a mockery of the judicial system.

   A citizen was injured by another person.
   She sought justice.
   She has the right to seek justice whether I agree or not, whether it is possible or not, whether she gets it or not.
   A judge considered if the other person has the mental capacity to know right from wrong.
   After an assessment by professionals, the judge determined the child doesn’t have it.

   The child is forever free from the justice system. For the rest of his life anything he does in the future to teachers, other students, neighbors, strangers or anyone else is exempt from the danger of punishment because we know he won’t understand. If he ever hurts anyone else, the guardians or parents will be responsible.

   Some believed it was a foregone conclusion because no autistic person knows right from wrong. Me not know.

   That’s the kind of decisions we have a justice system to make for us, not to rubber stamp our prejudices, but to judge rightly.

   David wishing the teacher, child, parents
   and justice system the best

9. Bobby on January 26th, 2012 9:45 am

   Must have been some heavy duty headphones to cause a concusion.

10. Cantonment mom on January 26th, 2012 8:54 am

    To Northender43 I think you misinterpreted what Walnut Hill Roy was saying. The way I read it he is agreeing with you and saying that bringing the charges in the first place makes a mockery of the system.

11. Northender43 on January 26th, 2012 8:05 am

    There is justice in this world!!!!! I know this mother and know that she is very happy and relieved that this ordeal is over.

    To Walnut Hill Roy:

    This wasn’t a misacarriage of justice… The teacher knew that these children have behavior issues, that’s why they are ESE children. Connor is not able to speak for himself or truely understand any of the ramifications of what he does. Would you charge a toddler or a pre-k student with a felony if they threw something and hit someone? That what some of these autistic children are like. So before you jump to conclusions about what is going on please understand what is going on.

12. Walnut Hill Roy on January 26th, 2012 7:24 am

    I don’t know if this case caused any official consternation, but it sure caused some unofficial neighborhood consternation. Unless this was purely a test case to prove that you couldn’t charge a 13 year old autistic child with battery it was surely a miscarriage of justice. It’s these kinds of charges that make a complete mockery of our police and judicial system; hopefully there are smarter people in the system than this.

13. Bratt Mom on January 26th, 2012 7:09 am

    Good job justice !! Finally something that makes sense.