CINCINNATI — Four Cincinnati Public Schools employees have been placed on paid administrative leave after a six-year-old student had his wrists and ankles tied together with socks.
Elisa Schaney, the boy’s mother, shared photos on social media that showed her son tied up in the back of a transportation van while traveling from Roberts Academy to an after-school program on Nov. 6, WHIO reports. The photos show the boy, who is newly enrolled at the CPS school, sitting on the floor of the backseat.
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“I don’t know if it’s a lack of training or a lack of compassion but something needs to be done,” Schaney said. “It’s unacceptable.”
The student’s aunt told The Enquirer that her nephew was tied up and restrained by a school employee following a meltdown before being placed in the vehicle, which is operated by a third-party service.
The boy’s father, Gabriel Perry, said when his son arrived at Kids Thrive, which provides behavioral healthcare, staff immediately called him and showed him the photos.
“I asked him who tied the ankles and feet, and he said ‘The security guard tied them, daddy,'” recalled Perry. “He’s got marks all over his arms. They tied it very tight behind his back, sitting on the back of the floor. More than 20 minutes, maybe 25 with traffic on the highways. They should have called and had me come then if he needs to be picked up by me.”
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The family has since hired an attorney. CPS and Kids Thrive are investigating.
“The situation is concerning,” CPS Superintendent Shauna Murphy wrote in an email. “Please know the safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority. Appropriate steps are being taken to review what occurred and ensure appropriate action is taken for all involved.”
Perry told FOX19 NOW that one of the four people involved is a relative. All four have been on leave since Nov. 7.
