Teacher tied student with autism to chair, parents claim

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (WCBS) - Parents of a student with autism are suing a New York school district after a teacher allegedly tied their son to a chair in a classroom.

Karla and Carlos Diaz said they are desperately searching for answers since they received a troubling phone call.

A special education teacher was suspended at New Hyde Park Memorial High School following an incident with the Diaz family’s nonverbal son with autism.

“They called me, ‘So sorry, so sorry, Mr. Diaz. Your son was tied with a rope on a chair from a teacher. We called the police,’” Carlos Diaz recounted.

Stephanie Ovadia, the Diaz family attorney, obtained the Nassau County police report, which alleged a rope was used around the boy’s stomach to tie him to a chair.

“What we know is what the police report itself stated, that there were two witnesses to this; another teacher as well as a nurse,” Ovadia said.

Carlos Diaz said the police came to his house to check on his son. The 15-year-old attends two schools in the Sewanhaka District.

The incident allegedly took place in a special needs classroom in New Hyde Park.

The teacher was removed from the classroom and the district promptly contacted Nassau police and the New York State Department of Education.

“He understands, but he doesn’t speak, so I don’t know how many times this has happened,” Carlos Diaz said.

In rare instances, a lap belt safety harness could be used in some schools, but only with parental consent.

The Diaz family said they signed off on nothing, especially the use of ropes. They also claim they have never received a report that their son was misbehaving in school.

“I love my son. He is special. He is a very, very, very nice boy,” Carlos Diaz said.

The family said their son no longer wants to go to the schools he once loved. They intend to sue both high schools and the district for $3 million, according to the lawsuit.

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