Some background: Melanie Pickens was granted immunity from criminal prosecution by a judge based on charges that she punished disabled students by isolating them in dark bathrooms, playing back recorded screams into their ears and slamming them into lockers. The judge based his decision on state law, which protects teachers when they discipline students as long as their actions were done in “good faith.” Teachers are protected by state law because they need to be able to take appropriate disciplinary action without having to face potential lawsuits or criminal charges.
By David Tolleson
As executive director of the National Down Syndrome Congress, I am shocked and saddened by the recent ruling in the Melanie Pickens case. Both the leadership and membership of our organization are outraged by Fulton Superior Court Judge Henry Newkirk’s decision to grant Pickens immunity from criminal prosecution for the abuse of her students.
As we followed news reports of Pickens' alleged abuse of students in her care dating back to 2004, we applauded the Fulton County School System in investigating and removing her from
