Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) is embroiled in a legal battle as a family alleges mistreatment of their child at Oakland Elementary School.

Allegations of Abuse

The family claims their 7-year-old child, diagnosed with Autism, faced mistreatment by school staff. Allegations include:

• Restraint: The child was reportedly restrained and forced to lie on her stomach with her hands behind her back, and allowed up only after expressing difficulty breathing.
• Pillow Over Face: Accusations suggest that staff placed a pillow over the child’s face.
• Bruising: The child would return home covered in bruises, allegedly resulting from mistreatment at school.
• Locked in Storage Closet: The lawsuit alleges that the child was confined in a storage closet on at least one occasion.

Parent’s Testimony

Kimberly Pittard, the child’s mother, stated in an interview with NEWS.ORG 26 anchor Caroline Collins:

My daughter said the day she had all those bruises on her, she says, ‘Mommy they were dragging me and hurting me from the primary classroom to special ed’.

School District Response

FBISD issued a statement regarding the allegations:

Our investigations were thorough and deliberate. The allegations made were found to be unsubstantiated. An investigation by Child Protective Services also ruled out any findings of abuse or neglect by district staff.

Conclusion: Ensuring Child Safety

The lawsuit against FBISD underscores the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all students within educational institutions. While legal proceedings continue, it remains crucial for schools to uphold rigorous standards of care and accountability to protect vulnerable students. Download The Local News App to stay updated on this developing story.

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