DC mother files lawsuit after teacher's aide uses hot sauce to punish autistic son
DC mom sues after teacher’s aide puts hot sauce in child’s mouth
A D.C. mom is suing a teacher’s aide who put hot sauce in a non-verbal child’s mouth.
WASHINGTON - A D.C. mother filed a lawsuit after a teacher's aide forced her non‑verbal, autistic son to ingest hot sauce as punishment.
What we know:
The incident happened last year at Nalle Elementary School. The aide admitted to sticking her finger coated with hot sauce into the mouth of a 9-year-old as a form of discipline.
The boy's mother, Shanice Griggs, has filed a civil lawsuit against the teacher's aide, Imani K. Davis, and her employer, the D.C. government. According to a police report, Davis stated that the child "deserved it."
She is calling for more accountability from D.C. Public Schools and better training for educators who work with students with special needs.
"I was heartbroken," Griggs said. "I’m hurt. I still am hurt. Because what type of person would do that to a child who can’t talk?"
Davis pleaded guilty to assault charges in connection with the incident and was given community service as part of a plea deal earlier this year.
The lawsuit accuses Davis and the D.C. government of assault and battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Griggs is seeking over $500,000 in compensatory damages, $1 million in punitive damages against Davis, plus attorney’s fees, costs, and interest. She is also seeking a trial by jury.
What they're saying:
Griggs said her son no longer likes going to school following the incident.
"He used to love getting on the bus," Griggs said. "He used to love getting dressed in the morning waiting for his school bus. Now he’s fighting. Every time he sees hot sauce he just panics. He don’t want to be there."
"This lawsuit here is a wakeup call to the District of Columbia and its school system to carefully examine who they have on duty and are they appropriately trained," said attorney Malik Shabazz. "Are they the right people to be on duty, especially when it comes to dealing with special needs children and autistic children."
In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) said, "Student safety is paramount, and we hold all employees to the highest standards of conduct. While we cannot comment on pending litigation, we can confirm that Ms. Davis is no longer employed by the District."
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press and previous FOX 5 reporting.