Kindergarten Abused And Neglected Disabled Students: DLC

HAVERHILL, MA — A Boston-based advocacy group says a Haverhill kindergarten abused and neglected children, including those with disabilities.

The Disability Law Center said Thursday after an investigation that the Crowell Kindergarten Center violated state and federal laws. The Center said restraints were overused on one 5-year-old with disabilities and students were put in closets as punishment for crying and acting up, among other violations.

Haverhill Superintendent James Scully said in a statement several of the allegations have been addressed since they came up last year. The district is reviewing the Center's report, Scully said.

The Center said it expects a remedial plan within 45 days.

Crowell has about 150 students, the Center said.

The Center interviewed 20 parents and reviewed records for seven students with disabilities after receiving complaints over the winter. The Center than visited the school and talked to Crowell's principal and two more staff members, it said.

"DLC’s investigation found Crowell engaged in abuse by violating multiple state and federal laws regarding the use of restraint, time-out and disciplinary exclusions," the Center said in a statement. "DLC also found Crowell neglected students with disabilities by failing to develop or implement legally mandated policies, trainings and social/emotional/behavioral services for students with disabilities."

Read the full report here

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