The parents of an eight-year-old autistic boy are planning to pursue legal action against a New York school district over a “box-shaped wooden dog cage” purportedly used to restrain their son. Rhonda Garrow and Jacob Sunday, the boy’s parents, have filed a notice of claim after discovering the wooden structure in December.
The respondents named in the legal filing include the Salmon River Central School District, its Board of Education, former Superintendent Stanley Harper, and School Board President Jason Brockway.
Expressing her dismay, Garrow stated that they felt betrayed as the school took advantage of their son’s disability, knowing he couldn’t defend himself. Garrow came across the box through a former school board member on Facebook who shared images of the “timeout” enclosure to bring attention to the issue.
During a meeting with Mohawk School Principal Alison Benedict, Sunday confirmed the box was designed for his son, although Benedict denied its use or confinement of the child. The parents also informed St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police about the box, leading to an investigation by the school district’s board of education. Benedict and other staff members were subsequently placed on administrative leave.
The parents’ lawyer, Greg Rinckey, highlighted that the child, who is autistic and nonverbal, has shown distress upon seeing pictures of the box. Rinckey pointed out that the boy has displayed reluctance to attend school, and when he changed schools within the district, the box was allegedly moved with him.
The claim asserts that the child and his parents have suffered economic loss and emotional damages, some of which may be long-lasting. The school district admitted to the existence of several such boxes but claimed they were not used or were approved by parents, without the knowledge or consent of the child’s parents.
The situation has prompted an inquiry by the school district, with Benedict and others placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.