VIDEO: The Jonathan Carey Story: The Killing of an Innocent Boy with Autism

Please view this moving tribute to the life and tragic death of Jonathan Carrey, who died at the age of 13 on February 15, 2007 after O.D. Heck Elementary staff physically restrained him in a van.

In 2004, Jonathan was abused in a private school for children with autism in Statsburg, New York. Staff secluded him in his bedroom for extensive periods of time, causing him to miss 8 days of school in one month – the room had been stripped of everything the child held dear: his toys, his books, even his pictures; the windows were covered so he could see nothing of the outside world, just the walls of his room.

He was repeatedly physically restrained by staff and suffered extensive bruising; bruising which went unreported by school staff, as required by law. Because he was mostly non-verbal, he could not tell his parents what happened…

Jonathan’s meals were also withheld for “behavior modification” for several weeks. When his parents questioned their son’s visible weight loss, the school told them their visitation was suspended for 4 weeks to allow for “intensive programming.” Jonathan’s parents immediately removed him from the school and reported allegations of abuse to the appropriate authorities.

Following the investigation, all records were immediately sealed and withheld from Jonathan’s parents.

His parents next placed Jonathan in a facility closer to his family’s home – but Jonathan was abused again and again, until finally, he died.

On May 5, 2007, Jonathan’s Law was passed in New York state to give parents and guardians access to their child’s records; no longer can records of abuse be sealed. His parents have also been instrumental in getting 6 more laws passed, including banning the withholding of food/meals for the disabled and changing the Standards of Abuse (Social Services Law 412), which was responsible for covering up incidences of abuse.

To learn more, please see http://jonathancareyfoundation.org., http://caica.org, and http://floridafamiliesagainstrestraint.blogspot.

VIDEO: America's Forgotten Children

This heart-wrenching video by Anna Moore and Nelson Rivera is a must see for anyone interested in learning more about the physical and emotional abuse our children have suffered in schools.

Children have been seriously injured - some have even died during restraints performed by school personnel, their deaths ruled by coroners as homicides - yet all-too-often no charges are filed nor is any disciplinary action taken against those who have caused those injuries or deaths.

In too many cases, schools willfully, knowingly, and deliberately cover up the abuse, even going so far as to manufacture evidence against the child or family. Then they assign blame to the child and/or family for the abuse. "If only he/she hadn't said/done that we wouldn't have needed to restraint him/her." Even if the child's behaviors/actions weren't violent or could be considered dangerous to themselves or others.

Some states also have laws which grant immunity to educators who harm children in schools - so they cannot be prosecuted.

State police departments and offices of protective services have turned families away who seek help - because the allegations involve a school or school personnel.

Why are schools and school personnel (legally) held to a different standard? This must stop!

Please watch the video, and if you are so inclined, forward the video to as many as you can.

Please also consider contacting your state lawmakers and ask for more protections for disabled children. Ask that those who intentionally harm children in our schools be held criminally accountable for assault, battery, or homicide where appropriate. Ask that those who work with disabled children be fully trained to recognize how "behaviors" can be part and parcel to the child's disability - that those "behaviors" are how those children communicate. Ask for training in other, safer, scientifically-based methods (such as PBIS) which could be used instead of aversives to "deal with" problem behaviors.

Thanks for your attention to this very serious matter!

Announcement/Videos: Info and Links from today's HR 4247 Press Conference

From today's press conference:

Rep. Miller's video: http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=EdLaborDemocrats#g/u

Rep. McMorris Rodgers’ video: - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pSGe7L1sUE

Press release with quotes - http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2009/12/lawmakers-introduce-bipartisan.shtml

H.R. 4247 Fact Sheet - http://edlabor.house.gov/blog/2009/12/preventing-harmful-restraint-a.shtml (also some good links at the bottom)

H.R. 4247 Bill Text - http://edlabor.house.gov/documents/111/pdf/legislation/HR4247Seclusion_Restraint.pdf

VIDEO: Investigation into Death of Disabled Adult in Philadelphia Facility

NBC Philadelphia - Lu Ann Cahn & Ed Dress

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/station/shows/wcau/investigators/Investigation__Protecting_Disabled_Adults_Philadelphia.html

Greg Harlen lived in a local care center for mentally and physically disabled adults for 44 years. Last spring, he was taken to the hospital in such bad shape, doctors called the police. Several days later, he died. Who's being held accountable and what was so suspicious about his death? Lu Ann Cahn and the NBC10 Investigators tell us more about Greg's case and what could be done to protect other disabled adults.

VIDEO: Colorado - Six-Year-Old Sent to Principal's Office Gets Mouth Taped Shut

October 28, 2009

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/08/28/crimesider/entry5272062.shtml

Watch CBS News Videos Online

DENVER (CBS4) Denver school administrators say the district plans to fire a staffer accused of duct taping a student's mouth and wrists.

Jennifer Carter, 45, was arrested on Monday on charges of misdemeanor child abuse and false imprisonment.

Palmer Elementary first grader, Joshua, was allegedly duct taped by Carter on Wednesday after being sent to the principal's office.

Joshua,6, told CBS Affiliate CBS4 he was sent to the principal's office on Wednesday when a substitute teacher said he was disrupting his first grade class.

"The secretary taped my mouth shut and taped my wrists together," he said, referring to the principal's secretary.

The principal, Elizabeth Trujillo, sent a letter home with all students on Thursday. It stated the Denver Public Schools and Denver police would "... investigate any allegation of misconduct" and that "... be assured the safety of students is a top priority."

Ashlye Tenner, Joshua's mom, said the principal is acting as a witness.

"She said she came back from lunch duty, saw the tape on his face and told the secretary to take it off and not to do it again. And she said she apologized to my son," said Tenner.

Late Monday evening, Denver Public Schools released this statement:

"Based on the evidence confirmed at this stage, the district is taking action to immediately terminate the employee. This is a deeply troubling incident, and this type of conduct is completely reprehensible and inexcusable."

Joshua has not been back in school, and his mom plans to enroll him in a new school.

A jail official said a bond amount for Carter had not been set, according to the Associated Press.

VIDEO: Breaking News; IL: Abuse of Special Needs Student Caught on Tape

The following is a disturbing video of a School Police Officer brutalizing a 15 year old student at The Academy for Higher Learning; a school specifically for children with disabilities.

Watch as the officer throws him against a set of lockers, beats him, and prone restrains him on the floor. The student's offense? He failed to tuck his shirt in fast enough.

The teenager, who'd reportedly previously suffered a traumatic brain injury from being hit by a car and has a learning disability as a result, incurred numerous facial injuries, including a broken nose, because of the attack.

More information on this story can be found here: http://cbs2chicago.com/investigations/caught.on.tape.2.1232197.html

VIDEO: AZ - Seclusion Room at Lincoln Elementary School

The following video is of a seclusion room found and still in use at Lincoln Elementary School in Arizona:

New Video from Anna Moore re Son's School Restraint

Anna has kindly shared this news clip interview where she talks about her son who was restrained in St. Lucie County Schools in Florida two years ago.

Here's what she wants the public to know:

"The system has failed our special needs children all across the United States. I live in Florida & it is very bad here for our children. There are a lot of questions that need to be answered & many people need to be held accountable. No one is above the law when it comes to child abuse yet school systems are not being held accountable. The Division of Children and Families (DCF) claim they have no authority over schools even if there are verified findings. The police say you have to prove intent to charge someone with child abuse. The run around goes on and on ..................it's about time someone is listening & they better do something about it!

The Dept of Education & School Districts have proven time and time again they can not police themselves & shouldn't."

- Anna Moore, Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i8SbwtPc2o

VIDEO: 5 yr old Florida Girl Arrested at Preschool

This video recounts how a five year old girl was arrested at preschool for throwing a tantrum.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_Ig34hQQXo&feature=related

VIDEO: FL - 11 Year Old Girl Tasered At An Elementary School

Story about an 11 year old girl in an Orange County Florida Elementary School who was tasered by a School Resource Officer (SRO):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcWPT7Ec1kg&feature=related



Follow Up:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYs9Shk9odU&feature=related

VIDEO: A WI Mother Upset After Her Autistic Son Is Restrained

3 year old Zachary was strapped into a chair at the Red Apple Early Childhood School. Zachary is non-verbal and has been diagnosed with autism. His way of communicating is to get up from his seat, take a teacher's hand and direct them to what he wants. School officials claimed to "only" have strapped him in for around 45 minutes per day...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXPpFQRCUiM&feature=related

Video: Deadly Restraints by Freedom Magazine TV Report

From Freedom Magazine TV:

"It may be stating the obvious that treatment is not supposed to kill a patient. Yet this happens under the watchful eye of psychiatrists virtually every day through psychiatric drugs, restraints, brutality, assault and neglect.

Horror stories have recently emerged of children dying strapped to beds and chairs.

Learn about these abuses and more on this edition of Freedom Magazine as we expose psychiatry's deadly restraints.

Produced & Directed by Ron Savelo"

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rj5-Y65618&feature=related


Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQv8OsUF7k0&feature=related


Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr52B8mMhPo&feature=related

VIDEO: Restraint & Seclusion - Deadly Restraints

From Hard Copy: Death by Restraint in Group Homes

VIDEO: School Seclusion Rooms Outrage PA Parents

From Philadelphia/News:

http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/School_Seclusion_Rooms_Outrage_Parents_Philadelphia.html

VIDEO: Restraint and Seclusion Behind Closed Doors

This is a fantastic, highly emotional, video my former partner, Phyllis from Families Against Restraint and Seclusion, created to help spread the word that these types of abusive practices must stop!

Please take a few moments to watch this YouTube Video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkhhv2fUwDg

VIDEO: Restraint and Seclusion: Who Will Stand up for Our Children

Here is another heartbreaking video of restraint and seclusion and the devastating effects this can have on our children. Created by Anna Moore...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8RlcIRkBkw&eurl=http://nomoseclusion.blogspot.com/2009/01/restraint-seclusion-video.html