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Jed Boal ReportingParents of five deaf children claim a teacher abused their kids at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Today they filed a federal lawsuit.
In court papers, they say the teacher slapped their children, yanked them by the arms and even forced their faces into food, and the state-run school did nothing. The parents say they want to make sure nothing like this happens again.
Keiara Seiler's parents say their daughter is better this year, but first grade was a different story for the deaf girl.
Kristy Seiler, Parent: "I kept calling the teacher and asking what's wrong? Why doesn't Keiara want to go to school? She kept telling us everything's fine."
Parents of five students at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind later found out the situation was far from fine. The first grade teacher allegedly physically and emotionally abused the students at school in Ogden. The parents contend the school knew about the abuse for a year and did nothing.
Dale Boam, Lawyer: "A great deal of unbelievable, conscience-shocking acts."
According to the suit, school staff reported seeing the teacher, Jacquilyn Shasky, slapping students with an open hand, pulling students by the arms hard enough to make them fall, pulling the students' hair, calling them names and cursing at them, even forcing a child's face into her food.
Kelly Seiler, Parent: "It was a fairly traumatic experience altogether."
The parents found out when DCFS investigators wanted to interview their kids.
The Seilers moved to Ogden specifically for the school.
Kelly Seiler, Parent: "It was a terrifying feeling at first. Sending her to that environment brought on its own feelings once we found out what did happen."
Parents say repeated reports of abuse changed nothing. They say the teacher's supervisor failed to report the abuse as required by law.
Last June, a Judge at the Department of Human Services affirmed the teacher abused the students and concluded the supervisor knew or should have know the teacher was abusing students. DCFS cannot comment, but confirms it did investigate. Parents say the school will not deal with these issues.
Dale Boam, Lawyer: "We wanted some reprimands, some policy changes, training and compensation for the children's injuries, and we've heard nothing from them."
The Human Resources Director at the school says they have not seen the suit and would not be able to comment on legal action against the school. He did say, however, the teacher no longer works for the school. Attempts to reach her this afternoon were unsuccessful.
