Ledelldra Brook has filed a legal claim after her 7-year-old daughter, who is developmentally challenged, was allegedly locked in a cage by her first-grade teacher in California, Inquisitr reported.
Two claims have been filed - one against school administrators and another against the teacher. Brooks said she stopped by the school unannounced in May and discovered how her daughter was being treated. She was allegedly sitting in the cage in a dirty diaper.
The cage was fastened like a crib gate for a toddler attached to two classroom bookshelves. The police arrived to break down the cage after Brooks reported the incident. The teacher could be facing a misdemeanor child abuse charge, so the district attorney received details about the investigation.
"I honestly want the public to know what's going on behind special education, what went on in my daughter's class," Brooks said.
Teacher Teresa MonPere has been put on administrative leave following the incident. She said in an interview that she's now working for Addicott Elementary, but wouldn't disclose any further details.
"We take these situations very seriously," District spokeswoman Micheline Golden told the Fresno Bee. "We conducted a thorough investigation consistent with our personnel procedures. I can't share any outcome of that investigation because it is a personnel issue."
The cage structure was not used for punishment and special needs children were only put in there when they were disruptive in class or were a safety risk to themselves, teachers and classmates, two teachers' aides interviewed by police said. They added that Brooks' daughter had been out of control and scratched two aides the day she was put in the gated area.
Brooks' lawyer, Peter Alfert, said the young girl could face long-term traumatic effects as she has already become afraid of being behind closed doors alone. She was offered therapy after what happened, school emails indicate.
