BROWNSBURG, Ind — Four Brownsburg Community School employees and one contractor face criminal charges after mistreating a special needs student.
On April 17, Brownsburg Community School Corporation (BCSC) learned that several employees mistreated a seven-year-old special needs student during lunch a few months earlier.
“As educators, protecting the safety and welfare of our students is at the core of who we are. We are deeply saddened by the actions of these staff members and will work in conjunction with our local law enforcement as they move forward with possible criminal charges.” Jim Snapp, BCSC Superintendent, said via a release.
In February, Sara Seymour, a Life Skills Teacher, allegedly told the victim if he vomited, he would have to eat what he threw up, according to Brownsburg Police Department. Julie Taylor, Life Skills Teacher, allegedly gave the victim a tray to vomit on.
The victim did end up vomiting, and Debra Kanipe, Like Skills Instructional Aid, allegedly gave him a spoon to use to eat a portion of his own vomit, according to a release from the Brownsburg Police Department. Two others, Kristen Mitchell, Like Skills Instructional Aid, and Megan King, Kids Count Registered Behavioral Technician, witnessed the incident.
“The Brownsburg Community School Corporation took swift action upon receiving the report of these allegations, and among many things, involved our Investigations Unit. BCSC and BCSCPD have been, and continue to be, invaluable in this investigation,” Brownsburg Police Chief Joseph Grimes said in a joint release with the school.
The Brownsburg Police Department obtained a video of the incident, and it showed the victim was eating his lunch, and at one point, he appeared to gag. The video shows Seymour telling the victim to sit down, who vomited, forced to eat it, and then provided paper towels to clean up the remainder, according to Brownsburg Police Department.
When the school district learned about this two months later, Seymour and Kanipe were fired by the district, while Taylor, King, and Mitchell were all placed on administrative leave pending a ruling from the school board.
After the investigation, the Brownsburg Police Department presented the case to the Hendricks County Prosecutors Office, where charges were filed Monday against all five.
- Sara Seymour, 27, was charged with Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony, and failure to report a Class B Misdemeanor.
- Debra Kanipe, 63, was charged with Neglect of a Dependent, a Level 6 felony, and failure to report a Class B Misdemeanor.
- Julie Taylor, 48, was charged with failure to report a Class B Misdemeanor.
- Kristen Mitchell, 38, was charged with failure to report a Class B Misdemeanor.
- Megan King, 24, was charged with failure to report a Class B Misdemeanor.
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