Student Abused?

Student alleges he was beaten by teachers at school

Moses Figueroa, 11, demonstrates how he says he suffered bruises at the hands of two teachers.
By Jessica Willey

(3/12/05 - SPRING, TX) ?- A badly bruised boy says teachers caused his injuries and school officials confirm they're investigating.





Student alleges he was beaten by teachers at school



The boy's parents admit their 11-year-old son has a behavioral problem. That's why he goes to Wunsche alternative school in Spring in the first place. They have even given the school permission to restrain him, but what their son told them happened to him, they say, crossed the line.
Moses Figueroa, 11, pointed out the bruises he says he suffered at the hands of teachers.

"He drug my face against the carpet of the wall," he told us.

He has a carpet burn on his face, bruises on his arm and red marks on his chest and back. He says it happened at school Friday morning. He said he refused to do what teacher asked of him, so he said the teacher sent him to the isolation room, where he was restrained on the floor.

"He made me go like this. He had my arms like this pulling. He did that hard and he sprained my arm," said Moses.

Moses said the force continued and eventually, another teacher joined in.

"He kicked him so hard that he described that kick as when he fell off the tree and lost his breath," said Marlo Figueroa, Moses' mother. "He kicked him hard where he lost his breath."

The boy's parents spent most of the day at the hospital Friday. They have filed a police report and hope the teachers are criminally charged.

"I think they should be thrown in jail because if I was to bruise him up, I would be in jail," said Marlo.

Spring ISD is aware of the allegations. They released the following statement. "We take allegations of this nature very seriously. We are investigating the incident and we are cooperating fully with the police in their investigation."

Moses' parents say they won't let up.

"This is abuse. This isn't restraint. This is abuse," said Marlo. "He has been abused."

Spring ISD police are investigating this incident. The teachers have not been charged, but the district tells us once it has all of the facts and if it finds there was inappropriate behavior on the part of the teachers, disciplinary action will be taken.


Let the ideologically charged arguments begin - edgar