A troubling video has emerged depicting an aide on a school bus striking a young girl with autism. The unsettling footage captures the incident, which took place in Illinois, and is difficult to watch. No child should ever experience violence from an adult meant to ensure their safety.
The video shows a six-year-old named Emma Harris being hit in the face twice by a school bus aide whose identity has not been disclosed. Emma was en route to school when the incident occurred. “It infuriates me,” her father, David Harris, expressed. “Just thinking about it makes my blood boil. She should never have to endure something like this.” Emma is nonverbal, relying on her eyes to communicate, making it challenging for her to explain the situation to her parents. “She can’t come home and say, ‘Dad, this lady hit me—not just once, but twice,’” David added.
The Emotional Toll on the Family
The emotional toll of this incident on the family is unimaginable. Parents expect their children to be safe, especially by those entrusted with their care. “It’s heartbreaking, honestly. As a mother, seeing that is just appalling,” said Emma’s mother, Sarah Thompson. “She exhibited unusual behavior for days following the incident,” Thompson noted. “It has certainly taken a toll on her.”
Investigation Underway
The superintendent of Emma’s school district reached out to her parents last week after reviewing the footage. The bus aide involved is employed by the Lincoln Way Special Education District 843, which contracts the school district’s transportation services. “We are currently investigating the incident that allegedly occurred on a student bus,” stated Executive Director Sarah Jenkins.
Local authorities are also examining the video and interviewing those involved, but no charges have been filed thus far. Emma’s parents emphasized the importance of providing proper training to prevent such occurrences for other children with disabilities. “When she has a meltdown, she needs space to calm herself down. And she usually does,” David explained.
Advocacy for Better Practices
The strength shown by Emma’s family in the face of such a distressing situation is commendable. While harming a child is unacceptable, they have chosen to focus on advocating for better practices to support children like Emma.
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Conclusion
In summary, the incident involving a school bus aide striking a young girl with autism has raised serious concerns about the treatment of children with disabilities in educational settings. Emma’s family is advocating for better training and practices to ensure the safety of all children.