Florida parents sue over school's alleged abuse of son with autism

From the Orlando Sentinel:

In fall 2008, 15-year-old Christopher came home from school with a contusion on his forehead and a scrape on his nose.

With severe autism, the mentality of a 5-year-old and limited verbal communication skills, it was impossible for Christopher to tell his family exactly what occurred.

But his parents, Rosmarie and Lawrence Casto, say they learned what was happening at Princeton House Charter School: Their son was being abused by staff.

Now they're suing in federal court the Orlando school that serves autistic children, likening in court papers Christopher's abuse to "a street gang initiation."

Christopher was subjected to "brutal throw downs" at Princeton House, the suit says. Staff tackled, jumped and sat on Christopher — depriving him of breath — and held his face against the ground.

He also was used as an "unwilling test subject for combat maneuvers" by staff, and pummeled without provocation, the suit alleges.

Princeton House officials said they've done nothing wrong and that their staff responded to Christopher's behavior appropriately.

Carol Tucker, executive director of Princeton House, said Christopher was "way out of control" and head-banging.

"He was just being violent," said Tucker, who had not seen the lawsuit but was familiar with the situation.

Staff had to immobilize Christopher because of possible injuries to other people, as well as property damage he could have caused, she said.

"We do the best we can under terrible situations," she said.

Orange County Public Schools spokeswoman Kathy Marsh said the district has not received any complaints about abuse by Princeton House employees.

The Department of Children and Families has two abuse reports related to Princeton House, both in 2005.

One child had blistering and an unexplained bite mark. The other child had various bruising.

The cases were closed with some indications — meaning investigators could not absolutely say the physical injuries to the children were the result of abuse.

Rosmarie Casto said her son's problems came to light in January 2008, when the school started sending home notes saying Christopher was being disruptive.

One day at home, he "exploded," Casto said. She later was told Christopher suffered an anxiety attack.

Casto worked with school officials, who said his behavior was likely the result of hormones. They wanted him to be medicated.

That fall, school staff continued to send notes home about Christopher's disruptive behavior. Then he came home with the facial abrasions.

"They just abused my son, hiding behind the word restraint," Casto said.

Two of the days the Castos say the abuse occurred were Oct. 2 and Oct. 10, 2008 — incidents captured on Princeton House's security video system. The Castos obtained that video in January 2009.

In one video, Christopher is seated at a table, which he flips.

Two people take Christopher to the ground. Someone brings in a mat.

Eventually, four people are holding Christopher down as he struggles.

The situation is "beyond frustrating," Casto said. "It turned our whole family upside down."

Christopher now lives in a group home, where he needs a strict routine and consistent care.