Six-Year-Old Student Handcuffed: Parents File Suit Against New Orleans School

In May, six-year-old Ja’Briel Weston was handcuffed and shackled at school, following an argument with another student over a chair. His parents only discovered the incident after Ja’Briel complained of a sore wrist two days later. They were then further shocked to discover it wasn’t the first time their son had been handcuffed at school as a result of misbehavior.

At Sarah T. Reed Elementary in Louisiana — a state where corporal punishment is still legally permissible in schools — handcuffs and shackles are part of the discipline plan.

Lawsuit Filed

This week, Ja’Briel’s parents have filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of all students at Sarah T. Reed in an effort to force a change in the policy that allows handcuffing of elementary children. It asks for an overhaul of the safety policies and procedures.

New Orleans is Reform Model

Also as a note of interest, the New Orleans school system has been touted by Obama’s Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, as a model for education reform — though it should be noted, he was probably referring to academics and not the draconian discipline policies.

Officials Issue Denial

For the record, the Recovery School District — which is overseen by the state of Louisiana – insists that it does not condone handcuffing, although evidence points to the fact that at Sarah T. Reed, it has been commonly used.

Your Stories and Opinions

Louisiana is not the only state that still allows corporal punishment in schools, and even as late as the 1980′s, restraints and paddling were permissible in many parts of the U.S. public school system.

Share your thoughts, opinions and stories with us below.

photo credit: thanks to tarter time photography via flickr

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Yvonne S.

2:06PM PDT on Jun 14, 2011

This story has sickened me. How on earth can anyone try to justify doing such an awful thing to a 6 year old child?

send a green star

Robert T.

7:14AM PST on Jan 26, 2011

@Kimberley Bennet, @Ann M.: AGREED!!

@Terry V.: I see you point but vehmently disagree with most of it. This kid is a GODDAMN 6-Y.O.!! If you really must insist on corporal punishment, have the good manners/courage to do it yourself!! What's the palm of a hand for?! Better than cuffs, I.M.O.!!

Kimberly B.

5:57AM PST on Jan 26, 2011

this is a child what the hell is wrong with people. I think who done this deserves to be fired and the school closed down. They should be put in jail. No wonder we have people grow up abusing people, animals etc. School like this!

Joy D.

12:14PM PST on Nov 22, 2010

Hold parents and guardians responsible; I being a licensed security officer find it is necessary for this officer to be better trained. We do not want elementary fear of safety personnel.

Latonya W.

3:57PM PDT on Aug 31, 2010

Im a parent and please believe me when I say that while my child is at school the teacher is the parent so u better listen like u would me and if u dont then the teacher has to do what has to be done as long as its not a abuse and u know the signs of abuse just like u know ur child...u know when u got a misbehaved kid

Terry V.

10:42AM PDT on Aug 24, 2010

Sorry to all of you who don't like the handcuffing but try going to some schools and see what really goes on behind the seens.
My friend is a teacher (I also work at a school thank God its a good one) and some of the children are really bad there and she does everything in her power to help these kids but there comes a point where enough is enough. These kids curse back at teachers, pick fights with other students and cause all kinds of trouble in the class. They are then sent to the principal and parent notified then sent back to the class because by law they must be in school. And the same thing happens all over the next week. The schools can't do anything and the parents really don't care as long as the school is there to babysit them. Try dealing with that. So my advise to you is put yourself in their place. I am sure they wouln't have done that if the child had done nothing wrong. I'm not saying it correct but on the other hand they did what they had to do for the safety of others. This issue might need more looking into perhaps. Take a real look around you at the next upcoming generation and face the facts are kids are missing all the things we were taught. Manners, respect for others and just down right caring about things. I'm not saying all but quite a few of them out there.

Ginny M.

4:21PM PDT on Aug 9, 2010

Kudos to Jade H. There is always a lot more to the story than a short article. I don't know that I have an opinion one way or the other; I do know I have seen extremely violent 5 year olds in the classroom that have physically hurt their teachers. Previous to the seeing is believing, I wouldn't have thought it possible.

Cristiane P.

6:29PM PDT on Jul 25, 2010

Wow!!! That's just non sense!

Beng Kiat L.

2:26AM PDT on Jul 23, 2010

thanks

Hanan W.

10:26AM PDT on Jul 18, 2010

I just read a blog about diminishing creative among American youth. I think this incident with the handcuffing of a six year old makes us take pause as to where our country is going relative to its youth and its future. Those adults within the school system who participate in such activities need to be held accountable. An end to such behaviour must be sought.