HOUSTON – In William Sullivan, the debilitation of autism runs deep: Very deep.
The same goes for his twin brother Stephen.
Neither 10-year-old has ever spoken. Both still wear diapers.
== Truly Vulnerable ==
To watch either is to witness a near total degree of vulnerability.
“It makes you very hesitant to put your children anywhere especially when they are non-verbal and cannot tell you who has hurt them what has happened throughout their day,” Lea Sullivan, the twins’ Mother, said.
And yet, Lea Sullivan trusted her twins to the educators at Katy ISD’S Exley Elementary.
The profoundly disabled boys were placed in a special education class headed by a first-year teacher: a rookie engaged in what many consider the most demanding position on campus.
“It is unconscionable. You can’t do it. You have to have people who are well trained to do this,” said Louis Geigerman, the Sullivans’ special needs advocate.
== Bruised, No Answers ==
On March 1, Lea says many of her worst fears came true when William came home from school with multiple abrasions, bruises and a knot on his head, but no explanation from his teacher.
Taking no chances, she rushed her son to the emergency room.
“I was devastated, it was devastating,” said Lea, her voice cracking with emotion.
Demanding an investigation, the Sullivans withdrew the twins from Exley.
Principal Imelda Medrano promised answers, but took a month and a half to tell William’s parents their child’s bruises were caused by a chair during a 20-minute struggle with his teacher who was attempting to stop William from biting himself.
== Proof of Lies ==
Principal Medrano claimed further that she found “no evidence of abuse or improper restraint.”
The inquiry could have ended there, but the Sullivans dug deeper and discovered this: a letter which they provided to FOX 26 as solid proof that Katy ISD was involved in a cover-up.
Dated 7 days after William was hurt, the letter reprimands the twin’s special ed teacher for failing to report the physical struggle to the Sullivans as required by law.
More critically, the letter clearly states “it is evident that the manner in which you conducted the behavior instruction resulted in injury to this student.”
The letters author was Exley principal Imelda Medrano, the same campus leader who would insist a month later that William Sullivan suffered no abuse or improper retraint.
“They covered it up and they lied. They have been lying from the very beginning,” insisted Lea. “It is a rude awakening that the people you trust with your children you can’t trust. It’s not there anymore; it’s not ever going to be there.”
== Refusing Parent’s Request ==
So what does Katy ISD have to say? Not much.
The district refused to discuss the case on camera saying by e-mail “the issue is under review”.
In the meantime, the Sullivans have asked that Katy ISD to pay for William and his brother to attend a specialized private program for autistic children.
Katy ISD has refused, insisting its people have the expertise to educate William and Stephen safely and effectively.
“They don’t want to admit liability because they don’t want to spend the money. It’s about the money. You know whenever somebody say it’s not about the money, it’s about the money,” said advocate Geigerman.
Leah Sullivan contends what Katy ISD is offering amounts to unsafe, uncertain “baby-sitting” and her boys both need and deserve better.
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