Lower Makefield Township Police along with the Bucks County District Attorney’s office launched an investigation into allegations Pennsbury School District bus/van aides did not follow proper protocols and procedures in attempting to awaken a five-year-old child with an extremely limited ability to communicate his needs and wants, and was physically put into restraints even though that is not part of his IEP plan.
The allegations also include that the child with autism was assailed by at least one of the two aides working on the Pennsbury School bus/van.
An employee of the district reported the incident to Edgewood Elementary School officials after the incident took place last Wednesday at 9:05 a.m., multiple sources told Lower Bucks Source.
Parents were not informed of the incident until Thursday morning, according to tipsters. Several revisions to the actual incident were made after they were informed in dribs and drabs. One specific piece of information and now evidence in the police investigation is the on-board bus/van video surveillance. In the alleged incident, the child’s parents were told that the video system was recording when aides attempted to wake him up and the boy refused to follow their directions to exit the van.
Lower Makefield Township detectives were notified on Thursday of an allegation that staff members used an unauthorized technique to move an autistic child from a bus Wednesday morning at Edgewood School. An investigation was opened and is currently in progress in consultation with the Bucks County DA’s office, Chief of Police Joe Kelly said through a township spokesperson.
Credit: Sunshine Foundation
The child at the center of the incident, sources said, does not have a history of aggressive behavior of any kind. Considering the “severe” impact of his health challenges, he is described as a cheerful “little guy” whose bonds to his father and godfather sustain him despite life circumstances.
The little boy’s family has decided not to send him back to his elementary school classes for the time being due to overwhelming circumstances. They have instead chosen to enroll him all day at the nursery school he’s already attending.
Credit: Joanne Ames – LBS
“We just want what is best for ******. To protect him and his interests. This whole thing has thrown us for a loop. And every day were finding more details about what actually happened, and it’s frustrating,” the child’s father said.
Legal counsel has been hired by the family to represent the boy and their interests, because there was delayed communication, a lack of transparency and other investigative information by the elementary school to the school district and it is difficult to trust what officials tell them.
Lower Bucks Source contacted Pennsbury School District, Edgewood Elementary and School Board officials over the weekend. Jennifer Neill, Supervisor of Public Relations for the school district, responded: The District does not discuss individual student matters. We are committed to the well-being of our students and promptly and thoroughly address any reports we receive related to individual students. Any matters are handled transparently in accordance with District policy and the law.
The Bucks District Attorney’s office declined to comment on the investigation Monday.