Court Hearing for 6 Year Old Autistic Boy is Sept 25
Tuesday, September 25th: It’s another day at school for my son Charlie, as it is for many other children.
For 6-year-old Nathan Darnell, September 25th is a day in court. On September 7th, at Taylor Elementary School in Bracken County, Kentucky Nathan allegedly pushed an aide, Glenda Schlitz. He has been charged with fourth-degree assault, with the charges brought at the instigation of Schlitz. (Go here and here for more information, and also to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network; commentary can also be found in the comments to an earlier post).
If this seems like an overreaction to you—or even if you have concerns and are (as I am) puzzled at criminal charges addressed to a six-year-old with autism, you might express your concern by contacting some of the parties involved. Should not schools be about education and teaching, not filing criminal charges?
Here is contact information for:
The aide pressing charges:
Glinda Schiltz
Email
The School Superintendent, Mr. Tony Johnson
Phone (606) 735-2523
Email
The Board of Education
E. Lawton Ulrich, Board of Education Chairman
(606) 756-2295
Gregory Jones, Board of Education Vice Chairman
(606) 747-5389
The School:
Taylor Elementary School
Phone (606) 735-2169
Ask to speak with Raye Jean Hopper, Principal
Email
If you do email, please note that any e-mails that you send on this issue – particularly to the aide –should be civil; abusive language and harassment are not in any way condoned and could have very negative repercussions for the person doing the writing and for those we would like to defend. It might rather be helpful to seek to convince Ms. Schiltz to drop her charges by educating her about the autism spectrum and the need for more effective supports and accommodations in schools, and to remind the authorities in question of the school’s responsibilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as well as of basic common sense.
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POSTED IN: Disability Rights, Education, Legal Issues
17 opinions for Court Hearing for 6 Year Old Autistic Boy is Sept 25
Lolasmom
Sep 25, 2007 at 12:32 am
What?? It is almost inconceivable that a kindergarten teacher would file assault charges against ANY of her students (for pushing them b/c they were mad about a punishment), let alone an autistic child, but the fact that an inquiry was held and the case is still going forward?? Where is the prosecutorial discretion here? I used to live in Cincinnati, and Bracken County has always been seen as a bit of a joke, but this is no laughing matter.
Casdok
Sep 25, 2007 at 3:29 am
Im speachless!
jypsy
Sep 25, 2007 at 6:39 am
…?!
Joseph
Sep 25, 2007 at 9:42 am
I hope they fight the charges on their merits. No insanity plea or “don’t you have pity for the poor poor autistic kid?” or any garbage of that nature.
Casdok
Sep 25, 2007 at 10:22 am
Can you keep us posted on what happends?
Thanks
HeatherS
Sep 25, 2007 at 1:29 pm
I think that any judge who doesn’t throw this case out should be removed from the bench. What a load of horses**t.
I suspect that reason will prevail and the charges will get dumped, but I sort of hope that the “aide” no longer has a job at the school when all is said and done.
mommy~dearest
Sep 25, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Re-flippin’-diculous.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 25, 2007 at 5:40 pm
Here’s a Sept 23 new story with photos of Nathan and his parents, and their response. I’m checking to see what happened.
Another Voice
Sep 25, 2007 at 6:56 pm
It appears the charges were dropped. The judge reportedly cited his age and an inability to defend himself.
Thank you judge!
Criminal Charges Against Nathan Darnell Dismissed
Sep 25, 2007 at 8:53 pm
[…] WCPO news (Kentucky): Public Defender Amanda Mullins asked that the charge be dismissed because of Nathan’s age and […]
Lillie Martin
Sep 25, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Having 2 kiddos of my own on the spectrum that I love dearly I say this with full understanding of the phrase ‘you always hurt the ones you love’…If I filed claims against them for every situation where they were abusive to me, I’d be visiting them behind bars by now. I have to always take into consideration their limitations when asking myself “did they plan ahead and actually MEAN to do that on purpose ?” the answer is always no, not really. Patience is a virtue I pray for every day!
Kristina Chew, PhD
Sep 25, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Yes, and once can never have enough of that virtue…..
Recent Comment Roundup
Sep 25, 2007 at 10:49 pm
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Sep 30, 2007 at 1:28 pm
[…] Court Hearing for 6 Year Old Autistic Boy is Sept 25Criminal charges against Nathan Darnell were dropped. […]
Verla Neault
Oct 1, 2007 at 9:08 pm
i am a ABA therapist for children with autism. i found this article to be quite disturbing. i can’t count on all my fingers and toes how many times i have have been hit, bit, kicked and had my hair pulled, and i wouldn’t give it up for anything in the world.
John Fryer
Oct 9, 2007 at 10:56 am
As a teacher now retired I can have some sympathy for when I was in the job I did not have the knowledge I do now.
But as a chemist knowing that mercury could explain everything I feel I understand why there were so many children who behaved in an antisocial way years ago and more so today.
sue
Nov 17, 2007 at 12:11 am
This article goes to show you..something of importance! No one really knows here how much a child that has autism can say…there not stupid in fact they are very high functioning. I know a child that has to deal with seeing the person who hurt him and his friends everyday! The case is still on going, so this person has not been charged with anything. Can you imagine that! What is this world coming too!
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