A Seminole County, Florida teacher was placed on administrative leave after she was accused of locking special needs students in a dark room as punishment.
WFTV learned Child Protective Services officials were concerned about the incident at Highlands Elementary School in Winter Springs and called police.
Xavier Baez’s mother, Yanette Nieves, thought it was strange when her autistic son suddenly became fearful of the dark late last year.
Now, she believes a special needs teacher at the school caused permanent damage by repeatedly placing her son in a dark room.
“I’m flabbergasted. I’m in shock. She never told me his behavior warranted that type of method,” said Nieves.
The situation came to light after a teacher’s aide spoke up earlier this month.
A Winter Springs police report said Rosalind Schoenwetter was locking students in her office with the lights turned out.
At times, Xavier would reportedly cry because he was scared, but to no avail.
“I can’t believe she would do that. She also ignored my son. And I trusted this woman with my son,” Nieves said.
She said Xavier can’t communicate well and she didn’t learn about the punishment until a Child Protective Services worker called her two days ago.
Her opinion of the school has changed.
“I’m still devastated. I don’t know how I’m going to get over this because I no longer have trust,” Nieves said.
She said she met with the principal and assistant principal at the school Wednesday.
She wasn’t satisfied when she was told the teacher is under investigation.
Nieves said she won’t be satisfied until the teacher is fired.
Police are not going forward with any charges because they said the teacher didn’t mean to cause harm to the students.
