Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in November 2016.
In a heart-wrenching incident at Nutter Fort Primary School in West Virginia, an autistic first-grader named Caleb, playing a turkey in his Thanksgiving school play, was left in tears when a teacher snatched the microphone away from him as he attempted to speak.
Photo Credit: Indus Education/Youtube
The emotional footage shared by Caleb’s parents, Kent Squires and Amanda Riddle, quickly went viral, revealing the distressing moment when the teacher’s actions caused the young boy to burst into tears. The 17-second clip, posted by Kent on Facebook, shows Caleb reaching for the microphone only to have it abruptly taken away by the teacher.
Kent expressed his disappointment in the post, stating, “This is my little boy in his Thanksgiving play. He is the last kid and has level one high-functioning autism. He has the biggest heart and [is] always happy. Now watch it and see what a teacher of kids does to him.” The incident has raised questions about the treatment of children with autism and the awareness of educators.
Photo Credit: Indus Education/Youtube
A longer 12-minute video shared by Amanda provides additional context, capturing events leading up to and following the controversial incident. Amanda expressed her sadness, saying, “I left in tears because one teacher… grabbed the microphone from Caleb and in a mean way.” The video shows Caleb’s distress and the aftermath of the incident.
The footage has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with viewers condemning the teacher’s actions and expressing concern about the apparent lack of autism awareness. Outraged parents and community members have called for accountability and swift action against the teacher.
Photo Credit: Indus Education/Youtube
One mother, deeply disturbed by the incident, stated, “Not only did she crunch that sweet child’s heart by doing that, but she is showing the other students that kind of behavior is ok. It isn’t ok at all.” The sentiment was echoed by others who reached out to the superintendent, expressing hope for corrective measures.
A viewer identifying as a teacher emphasized the gravity of the situation, asserting, “People like this have no business in any classroom. It is extremely hard to fire teachers because of the unions, but I hope the principal and board go through every hurdle to get this woman fired and away from all children.”
Photo Credit: Indus Education/Youtube
Mark Manchin, Superintendent of Harrison County Schools, responded to the public outcry, confirming that the Board of Education would conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. While he found the video concerning, he mentioned that he did not believe there was malice behind the teacher’s actions and stated that the boy had no speaking part to his knowledge.
The controversy surrounding Caleb’s Thanksgiving play has ignited a broader conversation about inclusivity, sensitivity, and the importance of understanding and accommodating children with special needs in educational settings. Fox News will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates on the investigation and its outcomes.
Sources: Mirror