Parents Say Teachers Are Manhandling, Abusing Special Needs Students

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WAXHAW, NC – Parents in Union County say their special needs children are being manhandled and verbally abused by teachers.

Now, they’re asking for cameras to be put in classrooms to help catch teachers in the act. 

Several parents spoke at the Union County Board of Education meeting Tuesday night.

“No child deserves to come home like this,” said Nora Bass, a Monroe resident.

Bass showed WCCB Charlotte pictures of bruises and scratches on her daughter. 

Nora says the pictures prove abuse is happening in special needs classrooms in Union County. But for Bass, and the other parents who spoke out Tuesday night, pictures or words aren’t enough to hold teachers accountable.

“I keep being told it’s not enough evidence,” said Bass.

“A child’s word against an adult’s word and they won’t take what a child says over an adult,” said Kristin Pettler, a Monroe resident.

Pettler has taken her special needs children out of Union County Public Schools. Amy Oster has done the same–and she took collecting evidence a step further.

“In 2012, I put a digital recorder on my son Andrew so he could have a voice to tell me what his day was like at school,” said Oster.

Oster’s recording wasn’t enough to press charges. The mothers say they need video proof.

“My daughter was able to tell me who, but she can’t tell me how because she can’t put sentences together,” said Bass.

“A camera would allow us that look into the classroom to allow the kids voices to truly be heard,” said Pettler.