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A Memphis mother said her autistic daughter was verbally abused by teachers at her elementary school, WREG reports.
Naomi Miller said she sent her daughter, 5-year-old Karmony Proffit, who has autism and is non-verbal, to Bruce Elementary with a recorder in her backpack because she suspected verbal abuse.
“She was screaming not to go to school and having a meltdown once she comes home. It’s like all I know is something is off, and the only thing that changed is you’re going to school,” Miller recalled.
In the recording, Miller said teachers could be heard calling her daughter a b***h and making other "disturbing" comments.
“The teachers calling my baby the b-word and even more disturbing, ‘Y’all come and tranquilize her. She need to be in a special home,’ like are you serious? All because she was crying,” Miller said.
According to recordings obtained by WREG, two women could be heard saying: “I was having a good day until she came. It’s this (expletive) right here,” and “And God knows every night I seriously pray. I don’t want to treat her mean, but God knows it is hard.” In the recordings, expletives were also used when referring to other children.
Miller claimed school officials didn't take action when she gave them the recordings.
“They should never be able to teach kids ever again. All three of them need to be gone and the principal needs to be held accountable,” the mother said.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools said in a statement that it's investigating the incident.
“We take the well-being of our students very seriously. The investigation is still pending, and, during the investigation, the employee has been removed from the classroom.”
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