Reply #470: Terrible, but school officials may not be allowed to "restrain" kids...

[holboz]

I don't condone the handcuffing of this five year old or any other child, but let me share an episode I witnessed when I worked at an elementary school a couple of years ago.

I was in a "learning bridge" classroom (i.e., one for kids with behavior problems) when a 10 year old kid flipped out in much the same way. It wasn't the first time this kid had a fit but this was the worst...he turned over bookshelves, threw chairs, smashed the globe, pulled down maps, grabbed the computer and shoved it off the table. If it wasn't bolted down this kid threw it. The other kids in the classroom were quickly shuffled out, but the teachers couldn't do anything. Why? Because the kid's parents threatened the school district with legal action if anyone dared to physically restrain him. What was worse is that the kid knew adults weren't allowed to touch him. He would scream to us, "You can't f**king touch me, my Daddy told me so!" It's amazing this kid didn't hurt himself or anyone else during his tirade. It was a gut wrenching episode to watch, especially since we couldn't do anything out of fear of legal action.

In the end, the teachers had to call the local police department's resource officer (an officer who works at the schools). I don't think they handcuffed him but I know they sat him in the back of the police car until he pulled himself together.