Pennsylvania teacher banned from teaching after alleged child abuse incident
By Baylee Martin
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EAST LAMPETER TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — A special needs teacher in Lancaster County has been banned from teaching after allegations of child abuse involving a nonverbal student with autism came to light, leading to an investigation by the district attorney’s office.
Heather, the mother of 5-year-old Vann, who is diagnosed with autism, shared her ongoing struggle to understand the situation.
“It is difficult. And it’s a journey, and it’s an ongoing learning experience. I learn from him every day, you know, how to be a better person and a better mom,” she said.
Vann was enrolled in the Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13’s early intervention program in East Lampeter Township, which Heather initially felt was meeting his unique needs.
“Prior to him starting preschool, I was so worried,” she said. “Just when I got to the point where I’m like, I was worrying for nothing, and then just this bomb gets dropped.”
‘Wish I would have listened’
The incident surfaced this summer when Child Protective Services knocked on Heather’s door, detailing an incident on Feb. 27 where Vann’s teacher allegedly dragged him by his ankles, pinned him to the floor by his wrists, and confined him to a 4-foot-by-4-foot space for over an hour.
Heather noticed changes in Vann’s behavior, including meltdowns and refusal to get dressed for school.
“I wish I would have listened to what his behavior was telling me,” she said.
Heather learned about the incident months after it occurred.
“She is the first person, family included, the first human being I have ever trusted to care for him. And she is the first human being who hurt him,” Heather said.
Despite her trust, Heather would park across the street from the school to wait for Vann to be done.
“To know that it happened inside of that building when I was across the street eats me alive, too,” she said.
Case reopened
The teacher was immediately placed on leave, had her teaching license revoked in October, and was officially terminated. IU13 stated, “We will continue to cooperate with authorities as this matter moves through the formal channels, and we are prepared to take any additional actions necessary to ensure student well-being and care.”
The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office announced on Facebook on November 10 that they reopened the case because it “was not sent to or reviewed by the Special Victims Unit as protocol requires.”
Heather is seeking accountability and wants to raise awareness for other parents of children like Vann.
“How many times did he go through this where nobody else was around? How many times was his arm grabbed tighter than it should have been? Was he screamed at? Was he pushed? I mean, the questions are endless, and the answers are not coming, and they haven’t. And that’s a struggle,” she said.
Heather and Vann The district attorney’s office has stated that additional investigation is necessary to determine if there will be criminal charges in this case.
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