Hale Law Group is representing the family of an autistic child in a lawsuit over alleged abuse at Prairie Oak Elementary School in Berwyn District 98. Lucia Roden, mother of Gianni Fata-Roden, accused the school of repeatedly abusing her son dating back to 2015.
Attorney John Chwarnzynski told reporters, “the School and its agents have allowed this severely autistic child to be battered and assaulted numerous times.”
According to Ms. Roden, her son came home from school in early February with permanent marker scrawlings on his back and neck. Gianni has very limited speaking skills and cannot say how the writings ended up on his back. When his mother called the school, she said they could not explain the markings either. This is the latest in a series of incidents involving the boy:
- In 2019, the school allegedly lost the child on school premises, only to subsequently find him on another floor
- In 2015, a school employee restrained Gianni by tying him to a chair using exercise bands
Since the restraining incident, Roden must approve any measures the school intends to use with Gianni, who is required to have one-on-one supervision at all times. These incidents would not have occurred had Gianni been properly supervised — the school has not apologized or provided an explanation.
“The mother and father of this child have suffered horrible emotional distress, as has their child,” said Chwarnzynski.
This case highlights our commitment to help child abuse victims, including adults who were abused as children, fight back against organizations such as public and private schools, youth sports leagues and the Boy Scouts of America.
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