Community Chat

[ccassaday]

DId this kid by chance have autism. I have two cousins with severe autism. When they get in a rage I could see them having to do this to them.

[Its Me LuLuBelle2]

I think the actions by the police were completely appropriate. This kid was out of control. You cannot hit a teacher repeatedly and be sent to bed without dinner and call it a day. I'm in Florida vacationing and heard on the news tonight that there was an incident earlier in the school year where his response was totally out of proportion. If he's acting out this badly in school, I don't believe for a minute he's not hell on wheels at home. I think the parents have their heads in the proverbial sand. Should we wait until he's 17 or 18 or 25 to show him there are consequences to actions and then try to reform him?

[Annabellethecat66]

I never worked once I had my daughters so I was always a mother's helper.  I'm telling you, I could mow my yard (1 acre), vacuum my house, do dishes, (all housework in one day) and not be as tired at the end of the day as I was helping out at my girl's class for a few hours!

Teacher don't make enough money!  Now that was back a long time ago (my girls are now 44, 42 and 37).  Children were not even close to as 'cheeky' as many are these days.  Many of these children are not the least bit intimidated by adults (no respect).  I know I'm speaking in generalities, but I have a lot of friends who WERE teachers and they retired, a few are still trying to hang on.

I have friends who (against their wishes) their own children became teachers.  These young teachers' biggest complaint is that they have no backup from parents or their bosses.  They totally feel like they're on their own in the classroom.

I remember one little boy who had Autism (back then little was known about it).  Once he kicked the teacher.  Her legs were black and blue and bleeding!  She managed to get him to the office.  They called his parents and he never came back to that classroom.

Obviously, he had other problems as I know Autism is a very broad word for those with Autism and most are not violent.

My point of this is I find it sad that the people who (in many cases) spend as much (if not probably more) time with our own children and they aren't getting the respect and support they should get and more importantly they DESERVE!

Anyway, I'd better get off of here or I'll probably post something that will upset someone but I stand by what I posted above.  I think what we hear on the news supports the cause that things had better change or parents are going to have start teaching all of their own children because teachers are going to get fed up and I don't blame them!

[Irshgrl31201]

Punching the teacher and pulling her hair and people freaked about putting him in cuffs? To me that is what is surprising. 

I most definitely think there is either something serious going on at home/mental problems/medical problems or possibly a combo of 2 or 3 but I do hope social services does an extensive home study to check for physical/mental abuse. 

To me what is shocking is the parents reaction to all of this. In addition to what happened on this day, the child also kicked a teacher in November and the father had this to say 

The child’s father, Rolando Fuentes, told Fox affiliate WSVN that he was told his son was “a danger to society.” “I said, ‘What? Seven years old? A danger to society?’ ” he said.

“I know that my kid made a mistake,” Fuentes told WPLG. “This is completely insane.”

No, sir. A mistake is not kicking a teacher at 7 yrs old and then 2 months later punching them and pulling their hair. In no world is that a mistake. That is a serious problem, a very serious problem. What is completely insane is that it was your childs second attack on a teacher and this is your response. The fact that him and his wife feel this points to one MAJOR part of the problem. Shockingly, the parents are considering a lawsuit. The NERVE. 

And the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department’s policy on mental-health examinations states that it is standard protocol to “handcuff all persons being transported, either as a prisoner or Baker Act, behind their back (exceptions are only for observable medical reasons i.e.; arm cast) for the safety and security of the officer and the person involved.” 

“This action was warranted to prevent his erratic and violent behavior from bringing further harm to others or himself,” Moffett said in the statement. “The manner in which he was transported to the receiving facility was done in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures,” Moffett said. “Our Professional Compliance Unit is thoroughly reviewing this incident.”

If I had a 7 yr old who had physically hit or kicked a teacher for the SECOND time in a few months one of my last concerns would that my child was handcuffed after the attack. 

This child has a serious problem and I honestly hope he gets all the help he truly needs. I really do. For his sake and the sake of his future.

[LUVNLIFE]

Times have definitely changed. My son is in high school and each middle school and high school here(Midwest city 60 thousand people) have a police officer and security staff. My son complains about kids being disrespectful, disruptive and physical with teachers or students weekly. I just can't believe it! 

I don't know this story of the seven year old but the teacher should be pressing charges. The child/family definitely needs professional help but the child should be removed from that school for awhile. It would send a message to other impressionable young kids that there are serious consequences. 

[Irshgrl31201]

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wrote:

I'm not sure why he was cuffed? Do they do this to children in general, or only those who exhibit anger?

I have read other accounts of this, and according to those ,the child had been suspended in the past, for behavioral problems

They might cuff a child like that to keep them from self harming, I don't know

The other acount I read  indicated a violent child...I would have to know what the dept procedures are  before I can comment

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To answer your question @cherry, this was an explanation.  

 The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department’s policy on mental-health examinations states that it is standard protocol to “handcuff all persons being transported, either as a prisoner or Baker Act, behind their back (exceptions are only for observable medical reasons i.e.; arm cast) for the safety and security of the officer and the person involved.”

“This action was warranted to prevent his erratic and violent behavior from bringing further harm to others or himself,” Moffett said in the statement. “The manner in which he was transported to the receiving facility was done in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures,” Moffett said. “Our Professional Compliance Unit is thoroughly reviewing this incident.”

Also to @Trinity11, I am so sorry that you and your brother had to go through that. How horrible. 

[Miss Shelly]

Sadly behavior like this isn't uncommon.  My daughter teaches in a public school and has students who can do no wrong in their parents eyes.  These parents do not parent, but, expect everyone else to do it for them.  

In addition the school also has a special class for kids with severe emotional issues.  There are 8 students ranging from 3rd-5th grade.  They have a teacher and 3 aides at all times.  It is more like a zoo.  The kids attack each other as well as the staff. They have to have their eyes on them at all times.   It is unfortunate the state requires the school to deal with it.  There is no actual learning going on as these poor kids are too far gone to learn.  

[mustang66lady]

I know this child is only 7 years old but did you all notice his size?  The female officer escorting him was walking side by side with him and the top of his head was at her shoulder.  He appears to be on the top of the growth scale.  A 7 year old of that size, can do some damage.  

I have a grandson who is diagnosed with O.D.D.  Oppositional defiance disorder.  He too, is hard to restrain when he acts out.  And his father is 6'6" tall.  My grandson is quite tall for his age as well.  If he behaved this way, I would fully anticipate him to be restrained as well.  He has come a very long way and still has a way to go but it takes a village to help with the process.  Sometimes it takes extremes such as  what happened to this boy.  Sadly, if the parents are going to live in denial, this child will never improve.  We are thankful for all those working to help our grandson be the best he can be but it has been a journey that I would not wish on anyone.

I don't think anyone in their right mind would be a teacher these days but I am so very thankful for those who decide on that career.  If you are one, thank you for your service.   

[Rockycoast]

I volunteered in my daughter's classrooms every week when they were growing up.  I can recall an incident in 3 grade with one young boy. He had emotional problems and was having a melt down. He started hitting the teacher when she tried to calm him down. He started throwing his desk and chair. She left me in the class to make sure he did not harm himself or the other kids while she ran and got his "counselor"(can't think of the actual title for him) who had stepped out for a short time.  The man came in and talked to the boy and then physically removed him from the classroom. It was not a good scene. I can understand why some children need to be handcuffed. It is so they do not harm themselves or anyone else. 

[stevieb]

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wrote:

I volunteered in my daughter's classrooms every week when they were growing up.  I can recall an incident in 3 grade with one young boy. He had emotional problems and was having a melt down. He started hitting the teacher when she tried to calm him down. He started throwing his desk and chair. She left me in the class to make sure he did not harm himself or the other kids while she ran and got his "counselor"(can't think of the actual title for him) who had stepped out for a short time.  The man came in and talked to the boy and then physically removed him from the classroom. It was not a good scene. I can understand why some children need to be handcuffed. It is so they do not harm themselves or anyone else. 

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We can thank 'mainstreaming' and the whole 'least restrictive envionment' mantra of the 80's for these kinds of debacles... One wonders if the social 'progressives' of the time stopped to think what the impact would be on the other children or on society at large of insisting that every child have an educational plan tailored to his needs that doesn't unduly set him apart from his peers... and that virtually everyone other than the bona fide criminally insane be released from long-term care. For the most part, these decisions were well intended, but as is so often the case, implementation was ill-conceived, badly planned and poorly executed...