Legal labellings that make no sense
This happened back in 2019 but
https://metro.co.uk/2019/09/25/autistic-boy-5-branded-sexual-predator-by-school-after-hugging-and-kissing-classmates-10808010/
School staff accused a five year-old with autism of being a sex offender after he hugged one classmate and kissed another, the child’s family says.
Nathan Putnam was branded a ‘sexual predator’ by staff at East Ridge Elementary School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, following the display of affection three weeks ago.The youngster’s family believe Nathan was reported to the State of Tennessee over his behavior, although school spokesman Tim Hensley told DailyMail.com that Nathan’s family ‘is not sharing the full context of the concerns’ raised by the school. He added that no punishment had been meted out to the child.
His grandma Debi Amick wrote on Facebook:’What do you do when a 5 year child is being labeled a sexual predator and accused of sexual harassment by the school system?
‘It was disclosed that it will go in his record for the rest of his life that he is a sex offender.
‘This child is autistic, he comprehends and functions very different than your typical 5 year.
‘What do you do?
‘Who do you turn to for help when the school will not even listen to the child’s doctor when he explains the child’s difficulties in his comprehension of simple things such as boundaries.’
The youngster’s mother Summery Putman also hit out at East Ridge staff, and told of how she felt nauseous on being called about Nathan’s behavior.
Summery told WTVC: ”I was sick to my stomach because first of all don’t you understand he’s a 5-year-old?
‘He’s a child?
‘The teacher called me and she said, “You need to have a talk with Nathan about boundaries.”‘
Summery Puttnam is outraged by the way her son has been treated, and says staff fail to understand that Nathan’s autism makes it harder for him to understand boundaries
Summery added: ‘If you don’t understand how autism works you’ll think he’s acting out or being defiant. But that’s not the situation.’
Summery added: ‘If you don’t understand how autism works you’ll think he’s acting out or being defiant. But that’s not the situation.’
Nathan has now been moved to a different class, and has been enrolled in a special education program.