GUILTY OH - Barb Williams for child abuse, Hancock County, 2014

[maedlamsmom]

I think it is important to note that, according to the superintendent, the incident was reported by another staff member/teacher. This woman's co-worker brought this to the attention of the principal. To me, that says that it was disturbing even to the other teachers in the school who knew both the child and the offending teacher. So, regardless of what was happening leading up to this point, behavior-wise, the other teacher, who most likely had first actual hand experience/knowledge, felt it was inappropriate and reportable. Can we please stop defending the manhandling of a child? He may have been difficult, but she reacted with anger. Anger is never an appropriate or defendable form of discipline.

 

[Disguiseduser0308]

No one could ever convince me there had to be something this child did to set the teacher off. The one and only thing I could understand was if the child tried to hurt her. I could understand an attempt to restrain. That's not what happened here.

I once had a scary teacher. I was afraid to ask her anything, including using the restroom. Of course, I had an accident one day. I'm almost 41 years old and I remember the incident like it was yesterday. I think I would probably still pee my pants if I had to be in close vicinity to her.

 

[blue22]

No one could ever convince me there had to be something this child did to set the teacher off. The one and only thing I could understand was if the child tried to hurt her. I could understand an attempt to restrain. That's not what happened here.

I once had a scary teacher. I was afraid to ask her anything, including using the restroom. Of course, I had an accident one day. I'm almost 41 years old and I remember the incident like it was yesterday. I think I would probably still pee my pants if I had to be in close vicinity to her.

Me too. I peed in my pants under a table, I was so scared to ask. When she saw my wet pants she announced in front of the class, that I was a baby and my parents had to come get me. (She said other things that are just a painful blur, too.) I'm not sure I've told them to this day, why I peed in my pants. They knew something was going on, though. I was in a different class the next day. I always wish I had said something. Who knows how many kids she terrorized

The funny thing is, I was a good kid and student. I never misbehaved once. For whatever reason, she just hated me.

 

[screecher]

I had that same thought, too. When this boy is 16 years old, that video is still going to be out there and easily accessible. The sheriff was working with this family, and making progress. Why go on national TV with this child's image and story? I can't think that this boy will be happy to have this video of this situation out there on social media ad infinitum. And whatever comes after this, discussion of what his difficulties were with the teacher, his behaviors, his mother crying and calling his teacher a "complete stranger" and putting him on the Today show to recreate the scene. REALLY???? I had three boys and there is no way I would have subjected them to the media spotlight that would follow them until they're 50. This kind of parading a child out in the media NEVER works for anyone except media ad sales. It works for the media. It's a train wreck for everyone else.

edited to add: I think it's good for kids to see their parents cry occasionally. Makes a huge impact. My dad cried when his mother died, my mom cried when her parents died, and my mom also cried when JFK was shot. Those are poignant moments in my life and I remember and fully respect them. This sweet boy seems to look at his mom with some surprise when she's crying about this - he kind of tries to recreate it but appears to not really be able to remember or recreate the whole scene, and then he looks at his mother and she's sitting there crying.

I'm sorry to be so harsh about this, but really. This child seems to be fully willing to continue on as normal, can we let him move on? Can we let the sheriff office do their job and let this kid get out of the ravenous media spotlight? I sense if he weren't such a beautiful child, he wouldn't be thrust into the media spotlight so quickly for their profit.

BBM

REALLY??? You're really concerned about a 16 year-old and 50 year-old Ian with his image being splashed all over social media?

REALLY???

How about being concerned about a kindergartener who's been assaulted by his teacher? Why not be concerned about him reading posts on social media saying he deliberately pees many times all over the place, how he wanders all over the place all the time and so on and so on when he's 16, then again when he's 50. And you honestly think it's a bad thing for him to see his Mom cry while sitting on his Dad's lap during an interview now, again in 10 years and then again in 40 years. But have no qualms with him reading posts saying he pees all over the place and other nonsense.

How do you imagine your three sons would feel after reading posts saying they peed all over the place (many times), and everything else you posted? If they were to be disturbed reading those kind of posts, perhaps you will tell them 'get over it'. THIS is why WS is a victim friendly site. But then again, IMO, you feel the teacher is the victim of this little boy. Unbelievable.

WOW, just wow. I'm unable to wrap my brain around your reasoning.

 

[MyBelle]

BBM

REALLY??? You're really concerned about a 16 year-old and 50 year-old Ian with his image being splashed all over social media?

REALLY???

How about being concerned about a kindergartener who's been assaulted by his teacher? Why not be concerned about him reading posts on social media saying he deliberately pees many times all over the place, how he wanders all over the place all the time and so on and so on when he's 16, then again when he's 50. And you honestly think it's a bad thing for him to see his Mom cry while sitting on his Dad's lap during an interview now, again in 10 years and then again in 40 years. But have no qualms with him reading posts saying he pees all over the place and other nonsense.

How do you imagine your three sons would feel after reading posts saying they peed all over the place (many times), and everything else you posted? If they were to be disturbed reading those kind of posts, perhaps you will tell them 'get over it'. THIS is why WS is a victim friendly site. But then again, IMO, you feel the teacher is the victim of this little boy. Unbelievable.

WOW, just wow. I'm unable to wrap my brain around your reasoning.

I agree, there is no reasoning involved. I'm baffled how anyone can leap to a conclusion the "sheriff is working with this family." The sheriff's office isn't a social service agency and only gets involved in crimes.

JMO

 

[JeannaT]

The sheriff IS working with the family. It was in the articles.

And yes, I am worried about long term repercussions for this child having this hashed out in public. I've seen enough cases where parents make a case for their child and take their child to the media, and the town turns against them while strangers fight for them.

I very strongly sense this is exactly what will happen to this child. He will be a media hero but his town will treat him like a pariah.

I guess we'll see. Yes, I'm more worried about the future of this media circus than I am about that one little incident of teacher anger.

Because this is like a deja vu for the 100th time with a case like this that I've seen. The public doesn't seem to understand the damage they inflict in cases like this. The media understands it, but they don't care. Smells like money.

When you have a case like this with a child, there is no call to parade them in front of the cameras although it feels good and feels like revenge at the moment. The child (or teen, whichever the case may be) will suffer far more than they suffered from the original incident or wrong they suffered. Am I the only one with long term memory?

edited to add: On camera, AGAIN. The dad this morning acknowledges Ian wants nothing more to do with this, and is tired of talking about it. Out of the mouths of babes. I hope they follow his lead and let him retire from the media attention.

http://www.11alive.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/16/teacher-suspended-kindergartner/9171701/

 

[maedlamsmom]

I do agree that this didn't need media attention. I think we, as a society, are quick to want to blast an injustice all over the news. But, I don't think people often think about how connected we are today, how quickly things can go viral. This woman was wrong. She should lose her job. She may need to answer for her actions legally. But, should she be marked as a pariah across the country, for years to come, and made the next YouTube viral sensation? That doesn't quite seem fair. She hasn't been tried. She hasn't even been charged. Should every crime, regardless of degree, come with the disclaimer that someone 1800 miles away might see it while drinking their coffee, and then send it to everyone on their email list? Honestly, I don't know. I do know that if this was my child, I would have gone through the appropriate channels. I would have contacted the police. I would have spoken to the superintendent. I would not have contacted the media. And, I certainly wouldn't have released the video. My child would have seen me working tirelessly within the system to correct the wrong done to him. Not make him the next pop culture reference.

 

[screecher]

... do things like purposely push other kids off play equipment, or continuously leave the classroom while the teacher is ordering them not to leave the classroom, or throw someone's lunch in the toilet, etc.....

... What if the child threw someone's watch down the commode? What is the child is CONTINUOUSLY missing, without permission,...hunt him down and retrieve him?....

... He's not been taught respect for rightful authority.

...what the behavior difficulties were,...accomplish the discipline that up to now hadn't been achieved....

Well, I hope this case stays in the news


... openly defied a kinder teacher...walked out of your computer class ...wander the halls...as well as willfull urinating

....

...no one has told Ian he needs to do what he's told.

...leaving the classroom...repeatedly....repeatedly wander about the school without permission...defiantly leave and wander off....

He did defiantly pee his pants, many times,...chronically goes missing....

... wander off down the hall all the time ....

...

I don't know specifically what this child was doing,...I sense this wasn't a case of a string of pee accidents.

... he'd ask to go to the bathroom, wander around, return to the classroom and immediately pee....

...

And yes, I am worried about long term repercussions for this child having this hashed out in public.

Respectfully snipped for focus

Alrighty. If I'm understanding correctly, you're worried for this child because this is being hashed out in public.

However, there seems no concern regarding him reading the above content posted.

I would like reliable links saying this child did all above.

 

[screecher]

I do agree that this didn't need media attention. I think we, as a society, are quick to want to blast an injustice all over the news. But, I don't think people often think about how connected we are today, how quickly things can go viral. This woman was wrong. She should lose her job. She may need to answer for her actions legally. But, should she be marked as a pariah across the country, for years to come, and made the next YouTube viral sensation? That doesn't quite seem fair. She hasn't been tried. She hasn't even been charged. Should every crime, regardless of degree, come with the disclaimer that someone 1800 miles away might see it while drinking their coffee, and then send it to everyone on their email list? Honestly, I don't know. I do know that if this was my child, I would have gone through the appropriate channels. I would have contacted the police. I would have spoken to the superintendent. I would not have contacted the media. And, I certainly wouldn't have released the video. My child would have seen me working tirelessly within the system to correct the wrong done to him. Not make him the next pop culture reference.

Do we know they didn't go through the proper channels? Do we know if they even know the proper channels?

I do know school districts like to consider themselves realms onto to themselves and many times parents just don't know the 'ropes'.

In this case, IMO, this woman clearly has issues. And I believe those issues have nothing to do with her charges.

 

[K_Z]

This teacher will absolutely be fired, no question in my mind. She lost it, and she assaulted this child. There is no excuse for that. None. They have to go thru the process, because she is union—and it’s really misleading that the media reports are conveniently overlooking this requirement. The superintendent could not fire her on the spot, or even TALK about firing her (that would be a threat) in the suspension letter, due to union rules that require due process. Even if she had been arrested on the spot, she still would have been put on administrative leave (same as “suspension&#8221, pending due process.

Make no mistake—she WILL be fired. This is on videotape, with lots of witnesses. She is done as an educator, and most likely will have a hard time ever getting any kind of job again. My best guess is that she will eventually be charged with assault and battery, but that it will be finally settled after a year or 2 as a misdemeanor assault, since she probably has no record. Community service, probation, and anger management classes. There may be a provision for her teaching license to be revoked, also, but that would be largely symbolic, because she will never be hired again as a teacher. (Or volunteer, or para, or any job involving children.) I doubt she will do any jail time. She will fight to keep her pension, I expect, but that could go either way-- she may lose it, she may keep it. She might try to resign before they fire her, but I think they won't accept a resignation. They will put this one thru due process, IMO.

Having said that, this child pretty obviously had serious problems at school if the school was scheduling an IEP meeting for him in May of the Kindergarten year. Holy cow-- nobody starts IEP proceedings in May. How in the world would they be able to do all the evaluations in the required amount of time?? (IEP meeting comment from the school documents in the pdf—principal’s comments. Name is blocked out, but on my computer I can clearly read Ian’s name every place it was blacked out).

Typically, public schools will not start IEP proceedings for specific learning disabilities until the beginning of 3rd grade. However, severe behavior and classroom management difficulties will prompt an IEP evaluation earlier than 3rd grade. As in, formal evaluation for ADD/ ADHD/ EBD (emotional and behavioral disorder), so that the district can implement behavior contracts, and hire a “sitter” (para) to be at a child’s side throughout the school day.

I strongly disagree with these parents parading this child onto talk shows and interviews. If the parents wanted to do the interviews, so be it. But putting the child on their lap on camera is exploitation, and extremely poor parental judgment, IMO. The child is obviously loved and supported, but I believe it is highly inappropriate for them to involve him in the media circus. It also conveys the message that no matter what he does, he will always be “right” in his parent’s eyes, and the school and teachers will be “wrong”. That undermines the authority of any school or teacher this child will ever have. These parents have done this child a tremendous disservice by parading him around in the media, IMO.

 

[JeannaT]

K-Z, it seems like they may have scheduled the IEP to get the jump on next year and have a plan in place when he returned for first grade. Kind of get out ahead of it a little so they could have strategies in place and tools for the new teacher to use, and yes, possibly plan for hiring of teachers aids for next year.

It may come to light during this investigation that the principal/school district was remiss in not providing an aid in the classroom already.

 

[K_Z]

K-Z, it seems like they may have scheduled the IEP to get the jump on next year and have a plan in place when he returned for first grade. Kind of get out ahead of it a little so they could have strategies in place and tools for the new teacher to use.

I agree, JeannaT. That only further demonstrates how serious the behavior/ management situation was during the K year.

Also, the district might feel his behavior is such that they want to hire a para/ sitter for him for first grade, right out of the gate. That requires that all the assessments be completed before the board will approve the hiring and funding. Then they can open up the position and start the hiring process.

I just wonder how in the world they would have been able to do all the evaluations and classroom observations, etc, that are required, and have the follow up meetings, before the end of the school year. It doesn't seem possible, given how few days are left. The IEP process is very regimented with specific timelines for things to be completed, once the process is started.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

This teacher will absolutely be fired, no question in my mind. She lost it, and she assaulted this child. There is no excuse for that. None. They have to go thru the process, because she is union—and it’s really misleading that the media reports are conveniently overlooking this requirement. The superintendent could not fire her on the spot, or even TALK about firing her (that would be a threat) in the suspension letter, due to union rules that require due process. Even if she had been arrested on the spot, she still would have been put on administrative leave (same as “suspension”), pending due process.

Make no mistake—she WILL be fired. This is on videotape, with lots of witnesses. She is done as an educator, and most likely will have a hard time ever getting any kind of job again. My best guess is that she will eventually be charged with assault and battery, but that it will be finally settled after a year or 2 as a misdemeanor assault, since she probably has no record. Community service, probation, and anger management classes. There may be a provision for her teaching license to be revoked, also, but that would be largely symbolic, because she will never be hired again as a teacher. (Or volunteer, or para, or any job involving children.) I doubt she will do any jail time. She will fight to keep her pension, I expect, but that could go either way-- she may lose it, she may keep it. She might try to resign before they fire her, but I think they won't accept a resignation. They will put this one thru due process, IMO.

Having said that, this child pretty obviously had serious problems at school if the school was scheduling an IEP meeting for him in May of the Kindergarten year. Holy cow-- nobody starts IEP proceedings in May. How in the world would they be able to do all the evaluations in the required amount of time?? (IEP meeting comment from the school documents in the pdf—principal’s comments. Name is blocked out, but on my computer I can clearly read Ian’s name every place it was blacked out).

Typically, public schools will not start IEP proceedings for specific learning disabilities until the beginning of 3rd grade. However, severe behavior and classroom management difficulties will prompt an IEP evaluation earlier than 3rd grade. As in, formal evaluation for ADD/ ADHD/ EBD (emotional and behavioral disorder), so that the district can implement behavior contracts, and hire a “sitter” (para) to be at a child’s side throughout the school day.

I strongly disagree with these parents parading this child onto talk shows and interviews. If the parents wanted to do the interviews, so be it. But putting the child on their lap on camera is exploitation, and extremely poor parental judgment, IMO. The child is obviously loved and supported, but I believe it is highly inappropriate for them to involve him in the media circus. It also conveys the message that no matter what he does, he will always be “right” in his parent’s eyes, and the school and teachers will be “wrong”. That undermines the authority of any school or teacher this child will ever have. These parents have done this child a tremendous disservice by parading him around in the media, IMO.

It does not make a difference what the childs issue was. He was not attacking her. She attacked out of the blue.
IEP's can be for anything from speech impediments to special needs. It is not for bad kids or kids who are problems. It is for kids who need extra help.

I am done talking about the parents. Their child was assaulted. What ever they want to do with the information is up to them to decide. I am glad they got it out there and that this person is now outed.

 

[K_Z]

It does not make a difference what the childs issue was. He was not attacking her. She attacked out of the blue.
IEP's can be for anything from speech impediments to special needs. It is not for bad kids or kids who are problems. It is for kids who need extra help.

I am done talking about the parents. Their child was assaulted. What ever they want to do with the information is up to them to decide. I am glad they got it out there and that this person is now outed.

Please look again at the first 2 paragraphs of my post. This teacher was dead wrong, IMO. She very clearly assaulted this child. I am in total agreement with you on that issue. She WILL be fired, it's just as matter of time and the due process.

None of that means that the child's issues are not important, or should be ignored or overlooked. The school is absolutely obligated to affirmatively address whatever they think is a serious issue for him, and every child. The school has an obligation to continue to try to create an environment in EVERY classroom so that ALL the kids can learn. That means addressing serious behavior issues, for the child's safety, and every other child's safety, too. Whatever his issues are, they are serious enough to prompt a late-in-the-school-year IEP meeting. That doesn't mean he's a "bad" kid, just that the school needs to come up with a plan to manage him and his issues. Many kids outgrow behavior issues in a few years. It's not the end of the world. But it can't be ignored.

We will have to agree to disagree with the parents actions of putting this child into the media. I think they are completely wrong for doing this. You don't. We can disagree, it's ok.

 

[TorisMom003]

I am 57 and I completely agree with you.
If I had behaved like this kid I would not have had to worry about the teacher doing this to me. My parents would have already taken care of it!

I must have missed something major, what the heck did the "kid" do that his parents should have taken care of?

 

[JeannaT]

It does not make a difference what the childs issue was. He was not attacking her. She attacked out of the blue.
IEP's can be for anything from speech impediments to special needs. It is not for bad kids or kids who are problems. It is for kids who need extra help.

I am done talking about the parents. Their child was assaulted. What ever they want to do with the information is up to them to decide. I am glad they got it out there and that this person is now outed.

I don't think anyone uses the term "bad" kids in the educational setting. Yes, IEPs can be for kids who are continuously disruptive, or who leave the classroom without permission. It's an "individualized education plan" that can accommodate misbehavior as well as academic and learning difficulties or other disabilities.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

Please look again at the first 2 paragraphs of my post. This teacher was dead wrong, IMO. She very clearly assaulted this child. I am in total agreement with you on that issue. She WILL be fired, it's just as matter of time and the due process.

None of that means that the child's issues are not important, or should be ignored or overlooked. The school is absolutely obligated to affirmatively address whatever they think is a serious issue for him, and every child. The school has an obligation to continue to try to create an environment in EVERY classroom so that ALL the kids can learn. That means addressing serious behavior issues, for the child's safety, and every other child's safety, too. Whatever his issues are, they are serious enough to prompt a late-in-the-school-year IEP meeting. That doesn't mean he's a "bad" kid, just that the school needs to come up with a plan to manage him and his issues. Many kids outgrow behavior issues in a few years. It's not the end of the world. But it can't be ignored.

We will have to agree to disagree with the parents actions of putting this child into the media. I think they are completely wrong for doing this. You don't. We can disagree, it's ok.

I did not mean to quote you in disagreement.. Just because you mentioned IEP.

I have family members that have children with IEPs. They range from speech issues to autism issues.

My thing is no one should know what is going on with this child. His record should not be public record. I don't care what his issues are because at this point I have to wonder if they are because this woman is such a witch. IF she will do this in the hall completely unprovoked, what the heck has she done to this child before. He could have issues related to being abused or feeling scared and fearful in her class. I have seen this kid interviewed a few times and he seems pretty normal for a 6 yr old.

I think that this kid's issues are made up by this lady. I think she is the problem and she is the problem alone.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

I don't think anyone uses the term "bad" kids in the educational setting. Yes, IEPs can be for kids who are continuously disruptive, or who leave the classroom without permission. It's an "individualized education plan" that can accommodate misbehavior as well as academic and learning difficulties or other disabilities.

This kids issues may very well come from this horrible teacher. Seeing her behavior she could be triggering him to react however if she is the one reporting his behavior I don't believe any of it. I think she has shown her nature and her methods. I think she is the problem not the child.

 

[JeannaT]

I did not mean to quote you in disagreement.. Just because you mentioned IEP.

I have family members that have children with IEPs. They range from speech issues to autism issues.

My thing is no one should know what is going on with this child. His record should not be public record. I don't care what his issues are because at this point I have to wonder if they are because this woman is such a witch. IF she will do this in the hall completely unprovoked, what the heck has she done to this child before. He could have issues related to being abused or feeling scared and fearful in her class. I have seen this kid interviewed a few times and he seems pretty normal for a 6 yr old.

I think that this kid's issues are made up by this lady. I think she is the problem and she is the problem alone.

That's actually my "thing" too. Get this poor child off the front page of CNN where it will certainly come to light what his struggles are, in a very very public manner that won't ever be forgotten.

And his parents, by putting him in front of the media, are solely responsible for this being a public rather than confidential matter.

 

[ScarlettScarpetta]

That's actually my "thing" too. Get this poor child off the front page of CNN where it will certainly come to light what his struggles are, in a very very public manner that won't ever be forgotten.

And his parents, by putting him in front of the media, are solely responsible for this being a public rather than confidential matter.

That is just your opinion. It is a parenting decision. This kid is going to look back and see his parents stood up for him.