INDIANAPOLIS, Oct 10, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) – The mother of an autistic boy who has a peanut allergy has filed a lawsuit in Indiana, saying a teacher gave him peanut candy to keep him from a field trip.
The teacher, Trinda Barocas, quit her job at RISE Learning Center in Indianapolis after aides complained to Child Protective Services that she was abusive, the Indianapolis Star reported. The mother, Anita Young, learned of the alleged mistreatment of her son from the school principal.
“Every day, I would send my son to school believing he was safe in school, a public school,” Young said. “I was betrayed.”
In court papers, Young said Barocas speculated to aides about what would happen if the 7-year-old boy ate peanuts, then gave him a chocolate candy bar containing the nuts.
Barocas told investigators she did not want the boy to go on a class trip to the zoo because of his behavior. But she denied doing anything to harm him or prevent him from making the trip.
CPS substantiated the abuse but Barocas has not yet been charged with a crime, the Star said.
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