Indiana mother says teacher duct-taped mouth of her 3rd grade son with Asperger's

From The South Bend Tribune in Ind.:

MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The mother of a third-grade special-needs student is alleging a teacher at Battell Elementary School duct-taped her son's mouth closed one day last week.

Rita Burnett said Tuesday that her son, who has the autism-related disorder called Asperger's syndrome, told his father, whom he was visiting, and later her by phone Thursday evening about the alleged incident that day.

Burnett said she went to the school Friday morning and asked to talk to the principal, who was out of the building. Instead, she met with a teacher who stands in for the principal when he's unavailable.


Burnett filed a report with Mishawaka police on Friday, of which The Tribune obtained a copy.

The report says Burnett alleged the teacher made the child put duct tape on his own mouth. But, Burnett said Tuesday, she never told police that. Rather, she said, she told police her son said the teacher applied the duct tape.

Gregg Hixenbaugh, director of human resources and relations and legal counsel for School City of Mishawaka, confirmed Tuesday he is aware of Burnett's allegations.

The matter will be investigated internally, he said, and school officials will cooperate with law enforcement.

Mishawaka Police Chief Ken Witkowski said the case has been forwarded to the St. Joseph County Special Victim's Unit for investigation.

Asked if duct-taping a child's mouth shut would constitute a form of child abuse, Witkowski said more details would need to be known before saying.

"I guess if it's true, that's the next question," he said. "Is that a crime? You have to look at the manner in which it's done.

"Right now, it's just an allegation by the mother," Witkowski said. "Did it really happen? That's the main thing."