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Friday, December 18, 2009

Lawsuits: Boys With Autism Were Abused Or Mistreated In Their Schools - cbs2chicago.com

Lawsuits: Boys With Autism Were Abused Or Mistreated In Their Schools - cbs2chicago.com


Lawsuits: Boys With Autism Were Abused In Schools

One Lawsuit Says TA Threw Stapler At West Side School, Another Alleges Physical Abuse At Near North Side School


CHICAGO (CBS) ― Two lawsuits filed Monday allege that boys suffering from autism were abused or mistreated by teachers or other staff at two Chicago Public Schools. 

In one lawsuit, Davonte Shaffer, now 13, claims a school staff member threw a stapler at him. 

The lawsuit filed Monday alleged on Nov. 26, 2008, a teacher's aide at Johnson James Weldon Elementary School threw a stapler at Davonte. The boy was also verbal berated and psychologically abused in class at the school, located at 1420 S. Albany Ave., the lawsuit alleged. 

Davonte is a special needs student who has been diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder, the lawsuit said. 

The three-count suit against the Chicago Public Schools -- claiming negligence, willful and wanton conduct and intentional tort -- seeks at least $50,000 plus legal costs. 

In a second lawsuit, the mother of a 6-year-old boy with autism and epilepsy sued the Chicago Board of Education and a teacher whom she claimed inappropriately