1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

How is it possible that Pennsylvania law permits child abuse in schools? How can we justify abuse not being criminal? The allegations involving autistic students at Jamison Elementary School demand an answer. A federal lawsuit alleges that a nonverbal autistic child was repeatedly restrained, humiliated, deprived, and physically mistreated. Disability Rights Pennsylvania previously found that students were abused and that the district failed to adequately investigate. Yet no criminal charges were filed. That is not accountability. Worse, it sends a dangerous message: that heinous acts against our most vulnerable children can occur in Pennsylvania schools without criminal consequences. Is that who we are? Abuse is not a personnel matter. Firing someone, allowing them to resign, or settling a lawsuit is not enough when a child has been harmed. Disabled and nonverbal children are among the least able to report what is happening to them. The law should protect them more strongly, not leave them more vulnerable. I am asking Pennsylvania’s leaders to: Require an independent review of how these allegations were handled. Ensure suspected criminal conduct is independently investigated and prosecuted when supported by the evidence. Close legal gaps that allow serious abuse or mistreatment in schools to escape meaningful consequences. Prevent adults found responsible for abuse from simply moving to another school or child-serving organization. Strengthen oversight of restraint, seclusion, and abuse involving students with disabilities. Children should not have to wait years for a civil lawsuit to expose what happened to them. If Pennsylvania law allows abuse of disabled children to be treated as an employment issue instead of potential criminal conduct, then the law must change. Protect these children. Hold adults accountable. Act now.