Camden, SC – Erica Johnson is demanding justice after she says her 9-year-old son, Andrew, who has level three autism, was mistreated by school staff at Midway Elementary School. Johnson alleges that the mistreatment was caught on body camera footage, and she is now calling for accountability and change.
The Incident: Overstimulated Student Allegedly Assaulted by Principal
The incident occurred on September 30, 2024, when Andrew Johnson, who has severe autism, allegedly had an episode of being overstimulated at school. His mother says Andrew was unable to properly communicate his distress, which stems from his autism diagnosis.
According to Erica Johnson, after the event, her son came home with bruises and appeared visibly shaken. Johnson had previously informed the school about her son’s diagnosis, providing paperwork from the Marcus Autism Center and instructions on how to handle Andrew when he becomes overstimulated. However, she later learned that Andrew did not have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) in place, which she says contributed to the incident.
In the body camera footage, former principal Elizabeth Stehle is seen tossing an object in Andrew’s direction before slapping it out of his hand while verbally scolding him. Stehle allegedly tells Andrew how much his mother will have to pay to replace the items he had been handling. Johnson is outraged by the footage, calling the principal’s actions unacceptable.
“This is a grown woman throwing something at a nine-year-old at the time, and no adult should have the right to throw anything at a child or be excused for that kind of behavior,” said Johnson.
“If you’re having a bad day, like the district told me she was having a bad day and at her tipping point, you shouldn’t have shown up for work.”
Investigation and Evidence Collected
According to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office, Stehle requested the incident be reported. The report stated that Andrew had been tossing school supplies and picked up a chair, but did not throw it. It also detailed how the principal began shouting at Andrew and allegedly threw several items during the confrontation.
Johnson expressed her disbelief at the situation, saying that for years, she had trusted the principal and believed she was doing what was best for her son. However, after seeing the body camera footage and hearing from other sources, Johnson became convinced that the principal’s actions were inappropriate.
“I was always on the principal’s side, no matter what she told me her work was right,” Johnson said.
The footage and subsequent reports from authorities have led to questions about the adequacy of support systems for children with special needs at the school.
Reactions and Statements from Officials
Erica Johnson has been vocal in her grief and frustration. She said her son came home from school on September 6, 2024, with bruises and an emotional breakdown. Andrew reportedly covered his head with a pillowcase and expressed a desire to die, saying he had been pinned down during incidents at school.
“September 6 was the day my son came home and put a pillowcase over his head and said he wanted to die,” Johnson recalled. “Mommy, they pinned me down in the chair. They pinned me down on the floor and had my hands behind my back and my neck like this.”
Johnson’s concerns grew when Andrew returned home on September 19, 2024, with similar bruises and physical trauma. She said both incidents were written up as behavior issues, leaving her devastated by the lack of proper care for her son.
“As a parent, it’s sad to say, you know, I want my child to be normal like everybody else. He wants to be normal like everybody else,” Johnson said.
The Camden School District responded to inquiries from the news outlet, but they declined to comment on the investigation, citing it as a personnel privacy issue. Johnson has since moved Andrew to a different school where he now has access to a safe room equipped with sensory activities designed to help him manage his anxiety and emotions.
Background and Legal Context
Experts in autism care emphasize the importance of individualized support plans for students with severe autism. Dr. Katie Frankie, a psychologist with ABS Kids, explained that children with severe autism may struggle with overstimulation and communication, especially if they don’t have access to proper coping tools.
“They may not be able to use spoken words and might rely on assistive technology, such as an iPad with speech output, to communicate,” Dr. Frankie explained. “They may also struggle with generating spontaneous language, so they may repeat phrases they hear from others even when it’s difficult for them to express their own thoughts.”
The lack of an IEP for Andrew during this incident could have contributed to the misunderstanding and failure to provide proper support during the episode. Johnson’s call for greater accountability in the handling of special needs students has prompted others to demand improvements in the way schools address the needs of vulnerable children.
Ongoing Developments and Next Steps
As the investigation continues, Johnson is determined to seek justice for her son and prevent further mistreatment of children with special needs. She is calling for the school district to take responsibility for the lack of proper care and ensure that proper support systems are in place for future students.
Andrew’s current school has taken steps to provide the support he needs, but the incident at Midway Elementary School has raised significant concerns about how children with autism and other disabilities are treated in educational environments. Johnson continues to advocate for her son and other children like him, pushing for greater awareness and systemic changes.
Conclusion
The case of Andrew Johnson has drawn attention to the challenges faced by children with autism and the urgent need for better support systems in schools. As Erica Johnson fights for justice, the story highlights the impact of special education policies on children’s lives and underscores the importance of accountability when it comes to school staff mistreating vulnerable students.
What are your thoughts on this case and how children with special needs are treated in schools? Share your opinions in the comments below.
