Posted on 09/23/2007 7:43:27 PM PDT by Graybeard58
A six-year-old autistic boy has been charged criminally after an incident inside his school where he allegedly assaulted a teacher's aide.
It's a story you saw first on 9News.
The incident happened earlier this month at Taylor Elementary School in Brooksville, Ky., located in Bracken County.
He is in kindergarten at Taylor Elementary, but 9News was told that due to his autism and other conditions, his mental capacity is the equivalent to a child half his age.
But despite that condition and his age, it still hasn't stopped a school employee there from holding him accountable: criminally.
Whether it's playing outside with his parents, or coloring SpongeBob Squarepants pictures, Nathan Darnell isn't much different than other kids his age.
But two things that do make him different from many other six-year-olds is his autism – and his criminal rap sheet.
"We are not denying that he did what they are saying, but we are denying he is culpable," said Tony Darnell, Nathan's father.
It was just last week when Nathan's teacher's aide, Glenda Schiltz, filed a juvenile fourth degree misdemeanor assault charge against him.
"What human being with a heart would do that to a six-year old?, asked Cathy Darnell, Nathan's mother. "Seriously, who would do that? I know I wouldn't."
According to the affidavit which 9News obtained, Schiltz alleges that on September 5, Nathan grabbed her by the shirt, pulled her backwards and began punching and kicking her.
"He admits to shoving her down, but he says he didn't pull her backwards," said Tony Darnell.
"She is no small person, she can defend herself," said Cathy Darnell.
So what does the school have to say about the matter?
Superintendent of Bracken County Schools Tony Johnson would not appear on camera but did say in a statement, "I believe we followed proper procedures and I have full faith in my staff".
Despite being autistic, Nathan is integrated with all kindergartners at Taylor Elementary.
His parents believe Schiltz and other teachers there are ill-prepared to handle special needs students.
His mother openly questions Schiltz's credentials.
"[She believes] you need to take him behind the woodshed and teach him something," Cathy Darnell, said. "That is her mentality, beat it out of him."
"Most of the time it [Nathan's behavior] is whining and screaming. I am sure that is hard on teachers and stuff, but we find a way to deal with it," said Tony Darnell.
On Wednesday the family went to the county courthouse, where an inquiry was held and it was decided the criminal case against Nathan will indeed move forward.
It's likely then that Schiltz will have to be there.
But until they get a chance to tell her personally, Nathan's family, in the meantime, does have something they want to say to her.
"She is a cold-hearted woman, that she has made every teacher look bad," said Cathy Darnell.
Repeated attempts to contact Glenda Schiltz were unsuccessful.
9News also was in communication with several school board members and none wanted to comment on the matter.
This is all heading to a proceeding scheduled for next week in which six-year-old Nathan will appear in juvenile court as a defendant.
instead of berating FReepers.
If defending my son against uneducated rubberspined posts is bereating then I am guilty of berating. VxH has a a computer, a vibrator, & pizza delivery. No wonder he never leaves his house.
It seems that 'autism' excuses anything.
Comment:
Your sure about that, please explain?
Let me say those are excellent words from a very compassionate person.
ROFLMAO..........THANKS.
Is that my fault? Is that my issue? Am I advocating that we put your grandson in an institution or keep him from living as normal a life as he can? NOPE, but you sill want to take a poke at me for some reason.
Target my son or other people who can not defend themselves then don't be surprised when you are up against people like me. We are not pushovers so get used to it.
Is this the "Compassionate" part of you or the "Get even with em'ism" part thats want my family hurt?
Excellent comments.
ROFLMAO...Well Said....
My pleasure and thank you for your support.
Don’t tase me Oh swarmmy one, but what be yo mensa number wit all does intalligents coments.
“I hope this child or another just like it comes to someone you love.”
Jeez man what are you like 5 years old.
Good Lord, do you hear yourself?
What kind of a person would speak this way of unfortunate children, NONE of whom asked for this affliction?
Honestly, I don’t even know where to start with you, but I’ll give it a go:
While “mental retardation” is a legitimate medical term, “retard” certainly is not, especially when used as you have — as an epithet. “Nutjob” has not yet reached the point of outright insult as it is used in many situations, some of them even humorous.
Secondly, though I agree that some children with mental retardation CAN be a problem in a regular classroom, some are no more and sometimes much less disturbing than your average, everyday spoiled brat in class.
I do not agree that every mentally retarded child be automatically placed in an integrated classroom, and those that demonstrate violent or uncontrollable behaviors most certainly should NOT be placed in them, but some retarded children are just...slower than the rest. Many times they are very, VERY quiet and never bother a single soul. I see no reason to not place these children in an integrated classroom for as long as they are able to remotely keep up. Oh, they won’t be in the top of the class, and they’ll never get into Harvard, but they can learn SOMETHING, and maybe...just MAYBE...the other kids can learn something from them, too. Like compassion for the less fortunate among us.
Oh, and by the way...maybe you have a child, and maybe your child is as sharp as a tack and as smart as a whip. In ONE SECOND, that can all change — with a bad fall down the stairs, with a car accident, or while playing a game of baseball. I pray to God that it never happens to you or yours.
And I bet you won’t be calling anybody “retard” anymore.
Regards,
Did you miss the part where it states the child has Autism? That is an extremely difficult condition to deal with for teachers and parents. Of course the child shouldn't have hit ANYONE. But, prosecution is ridiculous. Also, if the parents spanked the child to try to teach him/her to behave they may have been prosecuted themselves. Not to mention that spanking doesn't work on Autistic children.
Fantastic response packed with the truth. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“VxH has a a computer, a vibrator......”
I truly feel sorry for you....
Thank you for the civil reply.
“Am I advocating that we put your grandson in an institution..”
You are pitiful.
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