Dec 2011 Missouri:A 14-year-old Missouri boy with Down syndrome whose mother says he “gives people hugs all the time” has been suspended from middle school for allegedly sexually harassing a bus aide, a school official told FoxNews.com.
Desi Mayberry, Central R-III School District superintendent, told FoxNews.com that Aleczander Tate Scott, of Park Hills, Mo., grabbed an unidentified female bus aide while aboard a school bus last Wednesday and imitated a "sexual act" while on top of the woman, who is no longer considering pressing charges for sexual harassment.
"He grabbed her around her waist, like a bear hug, and then he gets on top of her and moves in a sexual motion, imitating a sexual act," Mayberry said.
The aide then "screamed for help," leading the school bus driver to separate the boy and the aide, Mayberry said. The incident led to a "short-term" suspension for Scott, according to Mayberry, who declined to indicate exactly how many days the boy was banned from school.
Mayberry said all of the district's buses have security cameras, but added that the boy's mother, Tonia Fujimoto, was not allowed to see the footage of the alleged incident despite her requests, citing district policy.
Fujimoto told FoxNews.com on Tuesday that her son has been out of school since last Thursday. His suspension will last through Jan. 5, she said. She vehemently disputed the allegations.
"The teachers and the administrators are not educated on children with developmental disabilities and they don't want to be educated on them," she said. "All they want to do is push them out of their doors."
Fujimoto said her son doesn't understand why he is being kept out of school.
"How can you put a sexual harassment charge against someone who doesn't understand sexuality? It doesn't really take my faith of people away, but it reminds me of the ignorance in this world," she said.
Fujimoto said she has since requested that Aleczander be transferred to another nearby school district, a request she said administrators have approved pending his acceptance. She has consulted an attorney regarding possible juvenile charges to be filed against her son, she said.
"I still want to see the tape, but I'm more worried about what charges might be brought against him," she said. "And how do you explain to him that he can't go to school?" ..Source.. by Joshua Rhett Miller
Boy with Down's Syndrome get's suspended from school for a hug
Park Hills, MO (KSDK) - A 14-year-old boy who has Down syndrome has been suspended from school due to alleged behavioral issues.
"He got suspended for sexual harassment for giving the school bus driver aide a hug," said Tonia Fujimoto, who is Aleczander's mother.
Aleczander is a student at Central Middle School in the Central R-3 School District.
"If you know Down syndrome children, they're very loving," said Fujimoto. "And they're going to display more public affection than anyone else is going to display."
Central R-3 School District Superintendent Dr. Desi Mayberry says due to privacy considerations he is not able to discuss this case. However, Mayberry believes school officials took appropriate disciplinary action.
Fujimoto showed NewsChannel 5 a notice from district officials which reads: "Alec approached (the school bus aide) on the bus for a hug and she told him no and tried to push him off her. He proceeded to lay on her and (mimic a sex act, while clothed). She tried to push him off her and hollered for help. When she finally was able to get him off of her, he ran to the back of the bus. After a lot of coaxing, Alec finally got up and got off the bus."
Regarding the alleged sex act, Alec's mother said, "There was no such thing. He was excited. And I feel like when he gets excited and he hugs me, it's like Christmas morning. He'll come up and give me a hug you know. And he'll be jumping up and down. And I feel like that may be what she experienced. I don't think his act was sexual in nature. He gives people hugs all the time."
Fujimoto says school officials tell her there is security video of the alleged incident, but they will not show it to her.
"When it comes to them not showing me the video, I think I'm getting my rights taken away as a parent," she said. "I just feel like they should let me see the videotape. And let me see what they're accusing my son of."
The notice from district officials reads "This incident has been referred to juvenile."
"I think that's stupid," said Fujimoto. "I mean who puts a child with Down syndrome in juvenile."
Regarding the video of the alleged incident, Dr. Mayberry says they do not make a practice of sharing such videos with parents.
Juvenile prosecutors said they could not discuss whether charges will be filed because of Fujimoto's underage status. ..Source.. by Circle of Moms
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