Re: Re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS child !

[Guest guest]

Jeannine, I am so sorry this is happening to you. I do believe you may have

grounds for a massive lawsuit. Roxanna suggested that you contact an attorney,

and I think that's excellent advice. If you believe you can't afford it, trust

me, there are many people who will work pro bono. If your child has an IEP I

think according to federal law he does NOT have to return to that school if they

are not meeting his needs - they need to bus him somewhere else. I will pray

for your family, this was absolutely terrible. Please do keep us updated on

what's going on.

L.

************************************************************************

( ) re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS child

!

Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many school

difficulties that parents have been having across the country. I am a single

Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9 1/2 year old boy. He is in Shelby

Twp, Utica Community Schools in an upper level EI classroom as the district does

not have any high functioning AS classes. It has difficult from the beginning.

They have little to no knowledge of the disorder and I have spent more fighting

with the district than helping my son in a positive manner to meet his

educational needs. The school has been constantly threatening to call the

police on my child for " hitting " and " making threats " . Many of his " threats "

are word for word from " cartoons " . Yesterday, the principal called the police

on my son for making a " threat " . When I arrived at school, I first saw a class

aide and she stated that my son was doing good in the classroom doing his work.

I next entered the principal's office where him, the social worker and police

office were. I stated " this is rediculous " . I would not allow the officer to

talk to my son as she has little to no knowledge of autism and the school's

tactics were uncalled for. In short, I was upset and attempted to walk away

from the principal's office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me,

threw me on the ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and students.

I could not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I was screaming

for help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll sideways so I could breath

and then the office jabbed her knee into my back, put the handcuffs in a

straight position and jabbed her knee forcefully into the cuffs, cutting my

wrists. I was thrown in the police car, taken to Shelby Police Dept and

arrested for trespassing. In addition, I sustained additional agressive

behavior at the station, but not in front of the cameras by another police

officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a road of hell trying to advocate

for my son and all I was trying to do was protect my son. I was not agressive

in any way to the police, and did not deserve this attack. In addition my son

is now suspended until January 5, 2004. I need help! I have left a message

with Michigan Protection and Advocacy. How can my son go back to a school and I

be pleasant with the office staff that watched this brutal attack by the police

officer on me and did not help. I spent many hours in the ER last night. I am

okay, just very sore and severely bruised. There is so much more to tell but

this is a summary to get started. I appreciate any advice and support.

Thank you, Jeannine in Shelby Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

[Guest guest]

Jeannine, I am horrified by your story !!!!!

f

-- ( ) re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many school

difficulties that parents have been having across the country. I am a

single Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9 1/2 year old boy. He is

in Shelby Twp, Utica Community Schools in an upper level EI classroom as the

district does not have any high functioning AS classes. It has difficult

from the beginning. They have little to no knowledge of the disorder and I

have spent more fighting with the district than helping my son in a positive

manner to meet his educational needs. The school has been constantly

threatening to call the police on my child for " hitting " and " making threats

. Many of his " threats " are word for word from " cartoons " . Yesterday, the

principal called the police on my son for making a " threat " . When I arrived

at school, I first saw a class aide and she stated that my son was doing

good in the classroom doing his work. I next entered the principal's office

where him, the social worker and police office were. I stated " this is

rediculous " . I would not allow the officer to talk to my son as she has

little to no knowledge of autism and the school's tactics were uncalled for.

In short, I was upset and attempted to walk away from the principal's

office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me, threw me on the

ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and students. I could

not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I was screaming for

help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll sideways so I could breath

and then the office jabbed her knee into my back, put the handcuffs in a

straight position and jabbed her knee forcefully into the cuffs, cutting my

wrists. I was thrown in the police car, taken to Shelby Police Dept and

arrested for trespassing. In addition, I sustained additional agressive

behavior at the station, but not in front of the cameras by another police

officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a road of hell trying to

advocate for my son and all I was trying to do was protect my son. I was

not agressive in any way to the police, and did not deserve this attack. In

addition my son is now suspended until January 5, 2004. I need help! I

have left a message with Michigan Protection and Advocacy. How can my son

go back to a school and I be pleasant with the office staff that watched

this brutal attack by the police officer on me and did not help. I spent

many hours in the ER last night. I am okay, just very sore and severely

bruised. There is so much more to tell but this is a summary to get started

I appreciate any advice and support. Thank you, Jeannine in Shelby

Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

[Guest guest]

I am utterly in shock that this could happen! I don't know what to say except

get a lawyer, and sue the school, the police officer in question, and make it

VERY public so the press can spotlight autism... We'll be here for you.

Love

Tammy

[Guest guest]

It is so true. I met with the police department and they are now trying to

negotiate with me as I feel they know that there is enough evidence of

police brutality. She states that she asked me to leave and I resisted

arrest. I state that I was trying to leave and she assaulted me. I am in

major pain from the assault. The police officer also admitted to my mom and

friend that she has no knowledge of special needs children. Thank you for

caring. Justice has to prevail.

( ) re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many school

difficulties that parents have been having across the country. I am a

single Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9 1/2 year old boy. He is

in Shelby Twp, Utica Community Schools in an upper level EI classroom as the

district does not have any high functioning AS classes. It has difficult

from the beginning. They have little to no knowledge of the disorder and I

have spent more fighting with the district than helping my son in a positive

manner to meet his educational needs. The school has been constantly

threatening to call the police on my child for " hitting " and " making threats

. Many of his " threats " are word for word from " cartoons " . Yesterday, the

principal called the police on my son for making a " threat " . When I arrived

at school, I first saw a class aide and she stated that my son was doing

good in the classroom doing his work. I next entered the principal's office

where him, the social worker and police office were. I stated " this is

rediculous " . I would not allow the officer to talk to my son as she has

little to no knowledge of autism and the school's tactics were uncalled for.

In short, I was upset and attempted to walk away from the principal's

office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me, threw me on the

ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and students. I could

not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I was screaming for

help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll sideways so I could breath

and then the office jabbed her knee into my back, put the handcuffs in a

straight position and jabbed her knee forcefully into the cuffs, cutting my

wrists. I was thrown in the police car, taken to Shelby Police Dept and

arrested for trespassing. In addition, I sustained additional agressive

behavior at the station, but not in front of the cameras by another police

officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a road of hell trying to

advocate for my son and all I was trying to do was protect my son. I was

not agressive in any way to the police, and did not deserve this attack. In

addition my son is now suspended until January 5, 2004. I need help! I

have left a message with Michigan Protection and Advocacy. How can my son

go back to a school and I be pleasant with the office staff that watched

this brutal attack by the police officer on me and did not help. I spent

many hours in the ER last night. I am okay, just very sore and severely

bruised. There is so much more to tell but this is a summary to get started

I appreciate any advice and support. Thank you, Jeannine in Shelby

Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I am trying to retain an attorney as the Shelby Police

Dept wants to settle without attorneys. I am in so much pain right now, I

feel that justice has to be done.

( ) re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

>

>

> Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many school

difficulties that parents have been having across the country. I am a

single Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9 1/2 year old boy. He is

in Shelby Twp, Utica Community Schools in an upper level EI classroom as the

district does not have any high functioning AS classes. It has difficult

from the beginning. They have little to no knowledge of the disorder and I

have spent more fighting with the district than helping my son in a positive

manner to meet his educational needs. The school has been constantly

threatening to call the police on my child for " hitting " and " making

threats " . Many of his " threats " are word for word from " cartoons " .

Yesterday, the principal called the police on my son for making a " threat " .

When I arrived at school, I first saw a class aide and she stated that my

son was doing good in the classroom doing his work. I next entered the

principal's office where him, the social worker and police office were. I

stated " this is rediculous " . I would not allow the officer to talk to my

son as she has little to no knowledge of autism and the school's tactics

were uncalled for. In short, I was upset and attempted to walk away from

the principal's office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me,

threw me on the ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and

students. I could not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I

was screaming for help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll sideways

so I could breath and then the office jabbed her knee into my back, put the

handcuffs in a straight position and jabbed her knee forcefully into the

cuffs, cutting my wrists. I was thrown in the police car, taken to Shelby

Police Dept and arrested for trespassing. In addition, I sustained

additional agressive behavior at the station, but not in front of the

cameras by another police officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a

road of hell trying to advocate for my son and all I was trying to do was

protect my son. I was not agressive in any way to the police, and did not

deserve this attack. In addition my son is now suspended until January 5,

2004. I need help! I have left a message with Michigan Protection and

Advocacy. How can my son go back to a school and I be pleasant with the

office staff that watched this brutal attack by the police officer on me and

did not help. I spent many hours in the ER last night. I am okay, just

very sore and severely bruised. There is so much more to tell but this is a

summary to get started. I appreciate any advice and support. Thank

you, Jeannine in Shelby Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm speechless! My jaw is on the floor. I am soo sorry for you! I wouldn't

be able to send my son back there. I don't have any suggestions, just wanted

you to know that I'll be thinking of you and praying for your family too!

Mindy

[Guest guest]

Thank you Tammie. I will keep trying, pray for strength. Jeannine

Re: ( ) Re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

> I am utterly in shock that this could happen! I don't know what to say

except get a lawyer, and sue the school, the police officer in question, and

make it VERY public so the press can spotlight autism... We'll be here for

you.

> Love

> Tammy

>

>

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't even talk with anyone from the school department until you have a

lawyer by your side. I would definitely take this to the media under

direction from your lawyer.

[Guest guest]

YES!! Get the media involved NOW!!!

MISSY

SAHM to some special kids!!!

Excuse Me While I Go

Raise Tomorrow's Future.

( ) Re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

> Oh my God!!!

>

> OH MY GOD!!! Sorry to use the Lord's name in vain, but that is just

> SHOCKING!!

>

> That's one of the worst things I have read. Jeannine, you need to

> get yourself a good lawyer TODAY. Don't wait for the Advocacy office

> to call you. Call around. A lawyer might represent you pro bono.

> Call the newspaper and get it reported on the news. Some lawyer

> might come forward. Go to a doctor and have your injuries reported

> and assessed. Call the Americans with Disabilities Council.

>

> -- When they removed you from the premises did they read you your

> Miranda rights? If not, they violated the law.

>

> -- When they cuffed you did they tell you what your charges were? If

> not, they violated the law.

>

> Statements should be taken from the school staff by an official

> representative. Jeannine, I hope you sue the sh** out of these

> people! They caused physical and emotional injury to you and

> emotional battery to your disabled son. I have never heard of such a

> thing in my life. Oh your poor son. And poor you. Get Justice!

>

>

>

> > Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many

> school difficulties that parents have been having across the

> country. I am a single Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9

> 1/2 year old boy. He is in Shelby Twp, Utica Community Schools in an

> upper level EI classroom as the district does not have any high

> functioning AS classes. It has difficult from the beginning. They

> have little to no knowledge of the disorder and I have spent more

> fighting with the district than helping my son in a positive manner

> to meet his educational needs. The school has been constantly

> threatening to call the police on my child for " hitting " and " making

> threats " . Many of his " threats " are word for word from " cartoons " .

> Yesterday, the principal called the police on my son for making

> a " threat " . When I arrived at school, I first saw a class aide and

> she stated that my son was doing good in the classroom doing his

> work. I next entered the principal's office where him, the social

> worker and police office were. I stated " this is rediculous " . I

> would not allow the officer to talk to my son as she has little to no

> knowledge of autism and the school's tactics were uncalled for. In

> short, I was upset and attempted to walk away from the principal's

> office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me, threw me on

> the ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and students.

> I could not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I was

> screaming for help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll

> sideways so I could breath and then the office jabbed her knee into

> my back, put the handcuffs in a straight position and jabbed her knee

> forcefully into the cuffs, cutting my wrists. I was thrown in the

> police car, taken to Shelby Police Dept and arrested for

> trespassing. In addition, I sustained additional agressive behavior

> at the station, but not in front of the cameras by another police

> officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a road of hell trying

> to advocate for my son and all I was trying to do was protect my

> son. I was not agressive in any way to the police, and did not

> deserve this attack. In addition my son is now suspended until

> January 5, 2004. I need help! I have left a message with Michigan

> Protection and Advocacy. How can my son go back to a school and I be

> pleasant with the office staff that watched this brutal attack by the

> police officer on me and did not help. I spent many hours in the ER

> last night. I am okay, just very sore and severely bruised. There

> is so much more to tell but this is a summary to get started. I

> appreciate any advice and support. Thank you, Jeannine in

> Shelby Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I still shudder. I can not imagine the physical pain and the

humiliation of being arrested like that. Obviously a parent would be

VERY upset to know the school called the police. And for them to have

zero knowledge of the child's special needs makes me shudder. I would

not have wanted the police near my child either. Look how agressive

she was to you because you refused to allow her near your son. She

had that whole I'll show you who is in charge attitude from the sound

of things. One can only guess how she would have responded to your

son. What if he had a tantrum. She might have siad he was coming at

her. And her w/ a loaded gun. I'm telling you it scares me silly. I

would NOT settle out of court if at all possible. I'd want it very

public. I'd call the news room now while you are still bruised. I'm

so sorry this happened. It's to the point we can not even advocate

for our kids. I think if they had their way our kids would be in

mental institutions. The school does not want them. And I know they'd

love it if we the parents never stepped foot into their precious

schools. I try to be active in the schol despite my fight for special

education for my boys. It's hard. I come to help yet I've been given

the cold shoulder more than once. And there is NO doubt in my mind

the steps some school districts take to avoid helping our kids. I

have not gone through what you did, but I've had my share of

unfairness. I've caught the staff breaking privacy laws. In fact I

just caught two discussing a student in the open for all to hear. And

yup they blamed the parents for this Autistic boy's bad behavior.

They went on to say how the parents wanted help so bad, but refused

to take electronics away. Like that would solve it all. UGH. And I

will not recount the vast laws under IDEA I've seen violated time and

time again. I've seen staff acting inappropriate with our kids. Ex: I

witnessed one teacher making fun of an Autistic boy that was a

neighbor to me. I called her on it. There is NO excuse. I've

witnessed the school delivering the WRONG preschooler to a parent

while her child was still at school. Another special ed student was

put on the wrong bus and the parent thought he had gotten off at the

wrong stop and was lost. It was so scary. And this happened to people

I know at our school. And I could go on.

a

> It is so true. I met with the police department and they are now

trying to

> negotiate with me as I feel they know that there is enough evidence

of

> police brutality. She states that she asked me to leave and I

resisted

> arrest. I state that I was trying to leave and she assaulted me.

I am in

> major pain from the assault. The police officer also admitted to

my mom and

> friend that she has no knowledge of special needs children. Thank

you for

> caring. Justice has to prevail.

> ( ) re: School calls police on my 9 year

old AS

> child !

>

> Hi, I recently joined this group and have been reading the many

school

> difficulties that parents have been having across the country. I

am a

> single Mom of an Aspergers, Tourette's Syndrome 9 1/2 year old

boy. He is

> in Shelby Twp, Utica Community Schools in an upper level EI

classroom as the

> district does not have any high functioning AS classes. It has

difficult

> from the beginning. They have little to no knowledge of the

disorder and I

> have spent more fighting with the district than helping my son in a

positive

> manner to meet his educational needs. The school has been

constantly

> threatening to call the police on my child for " hitting "

and " making threats

> . Many of his " threats " are word for word from " cartoons " .

Yesterday, the

> principal called the police on my son for making a " threat " . When

I arrived

> at school, I first saw a class aide and she stated that my son was

doing

> good in the classroom doing his work. I next entered the

principal's office

> where him, the social worker and police office were. I

stated " this is

> rediculous " . I would not allow the officer to talk to my son as

she has

> little to no knowledge of autism and the school's tactics were

uncalled for.

> In short, I was upset and attempted to walk away from the

principal's

> office to " cool off " and the police officer grabbed me, threw me on

the

> ground, handcuffed me in front of the office staff and students. I

could

> not breath. I am 5 feet tall and weigh about 99 lbs. I was

screaming for

> help. I had done nothing wrong. I tried to roll sideways so I

could breath

> and then the office jabbed her knee into my back, put the handcuffs

in a

> straight position and jabbed her knee forcefully into the cuffs,

cutting my

> wrists. I was thrown in the police car, taken to Shelby Police

Dept and

> arrested for trespassing. In addition, I sustained additional

agressive

> behavior at the station, but not in front of the cameras by another

police

> officer. All I could do was cry. It has been a road of hell

trying to

> advocate for my son and all I was trying to do was protect my son.

I was

> not agressive in any way to the police, and did not deserve this

attack. In

> addition my son is now suspended until January 5, 2004. I need

help! I

> have left a message with Michigan Protection and Advocacy. How can

my son

> go back to a school and I be pleasant with the office staff that

watched

> this brutal attack by the police officer on me and did not help. I

spent

> many hours in the ER last night. I am okay, just very sore and

severely

> bruised. There is so much more to tell but this is a summary to

get started

> I appreciate any advice and support. Thank you, Jeannine

in Shelby

> Twp, Michigan (Utica Community Schools)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Agreed but it sounds like from the other posts that the police are realizing

they went too far. Before you do anything like a settlement, fight with the

school or going to the media, you must get an attorney. Someone said earlier

that there are some who will represent you pro bono. MHMR might know of some

or any case worker your child might have.

> Things like this almost make me ashamed ever to have worked in a school.

>

> One thing about what Jeannine went through that everyone should think

about, and please understand, I am NOT defending the police officer,

especially the force that was used: Anytime a third party (Jeaninne)

interferes with, comments on, or questions a police action, this sort of

thing can happen. It's crazy, but it happens all the time. I know that the

child is Jeannine's child. To the police, it makes no difference. Clearly

the police officer wasn't thinking and over-reacted in a brutal way.

[Guest guest]

I understand what you are saying. The Police officer admitted to my mother

that though she has her own children, she has no knowledge of special needs.

My son also has Tourette's Syndrome. Can you imagine what she would have

done to him if a vocal tic came out. Many of his vocal tics are

obscenities. She may have taken that as being disrespectful and done

something horrible to him. My son has the mentality of probably a 4 or 5

year old. He has no concept of telling time, can barely read, tons of

sensory needs and on a happy note loves animals so much that he " wants to

marry at dog " . I am getting tons of support from the Macomb County Autism

Society at this time to help my son. He is still currently suspended from

Utica Community Schools. I'll keep you all posted, too exhausted to write

more. Thank you all for your support and concern. Jeannine Somberg and

Dylan Somberg

( ) Re: School calls police on my 9 year old AS

child !

> Things like this almost make me ashamed ever to have worked in a school.

>

> One thing about what Jeannine went through that everyone should think

about, and please understand, I am NOT defending the police officer,

especially the force that was used: Anytime a third party (Jeaninne)

interferes with, comments on, or questions a police action, this sort of

thing can happen. It's crazy, but it happens all the time. I know that the

child is Jeannine's child. To the police, it makes no difference. Clearly

the police officer wasn't thinking and over-reacted in a brutal way.

>

> A teenage son of a friend of mine was arrested and thrown in jail

simply for asking the police what was going on when they were questioning a

friend of his. That's it. The charge: Interfering with the police during

a police action. The charges were later dropped, but he has the arrest on

his record for the rest of his life.

>

> S. Hart

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/19/03 6:58:42 PM Eastern Standard Time,

jlscpa@... writes:

A teenage son of a friend of mine was arrested and thrown in jail

simply for asking the police what was going on when they were questioning a

friend of his. That's it. The charge: Interfering with the police during

a police action. The charges were later dropped, but he has the arrest on

his record for the rest of his life.

Absolutely! My brother was also arrested once for questioning an officer who

was investigating a black friend of his. He had the nerve to ask if it was

BECAUSE the young man was black. While it may have been a reasonable question,

one doesn't butt in to police matters. It is an INVESTIGATION.

Brings to mind the rather large guy that was beaten by Cincy plice a couple

weeks ago,and subsequently died. It was QUITE obvious from the tape that the

police were extremely rough with him. It was also obvious that the gentleman

ATTACKED the officers, and also REFUSED to submit. Yes he cracked out. And?

What

ELSE does one do when somebody will not submit due to a drug rage? THat

person is a threat to EVERYONE. Solution? Uh, why don't people quit using

drugs?

It's called RESPONSIBILITY. (sigh)

Connie

[Guest guest]

<<<< I am trying to retain an attorney as the Shelby Police

Dept wants to settle without attorneys. I am in so much pain right now, I

feel that justice has to be done.>>>

and you are right!

good luck !F