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.
Not just “now.”
Settle down, and think.
You’re way too excited.
You are right. The balance must be found; but not at the expense of the kids who will build the future.
I totally agree........a disproportionate amount of resources are being directed into areas which, in many cases, will not show significant benefits.
I don’t think we should stick the disabled in closets or leave them with no education. In fact, I want them given the opportunities to achieve their own, personal “bests.”
I also want to see the normal kids get the best for them. If this clashes, those who have the best potential to help the nation, the world and-—THE DISABLED should be first considered.
No experience is it then?
Next.
You are so very silly.
Any educator that refers to typical children as “normal” makes me take great pause to our secondary education system and what kind of teachers they are mass producing.
Wow.
Well thanks.
You have nothing constructive to add to the conversation, and your views of special education are based on ignorance.
Keep pumping out those posts though. You do your profession proud.
I don’t agree with this assessment. I do think they show benefits — in the school systems that are conducting inclusion properly.
I think it was in the Jenny McCarthy thread that someone posted stats from Wisconsin that show inclusion is extremely beneficial to both special needs and typically developing students.
No I am not kidding you, now or ever, because you seem to have a most bizarre sense of humor. As for your inability to “get that” from the articles, it must be nice to view everything you read at face value. Some of us are cursed with a desire to know the complete story, especially one presented through the milk glass of political correctness. BAHAHAHAHA yourself.
Of course you don’t because obviously you are omnipotent. I’m sorry, but each student, autistic or not is an individual. Outside of physical restraint, there is no cure-all technique that works on every child.
stats.
You can't twist those to prove any point you might possibly want to make.
But what do I know? I can't possibly know anything because I am not YOU.
Now, dearie, I'll happily conclude any interaction with your omniscient, great-and-wonderful self and go scream, "UNCLE! UNCLE!" as I beat on a pillow in anguish because you are so much greater than I.
Administrators historically do not oblige the requests of parents of special needs children. As such your comments made me laugh out loud.
The article stated he came up on the aide from behind, pulled her back and attacked her.
Had he had a 1:1 that wouldn’t have happened.
He is also 6 years old. Hardly at a physical size where the most basic restraints protocols would not be immediately effective.
You have nothing but your ignorant comments about your sisters and now you post this garbage.
I agree our conversation is done.
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