A six-year-old boy diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) was returned home by the school in a plastic bag and with a diaper full of feces. The student belongs to the municipal education network of Alagoinhas, in the interior of Bahia, and the incident is under police investigation.
The incident occurred on September 24th of this year. On that date, the educational institution contacted the family to communicate that the boy should return home due to a lack of diapers and clothes for changing. According to the mother, Camila de Jesus Almeida, the boy usually carries supplies of diapers and clothing in his backpack.
Camila de Jesus reported having immediately contacted the school administration to demand an explanation for how her son was sent home. The director stated that she had dressed the child in the bag to prevent him from dirtying the Municipal Education Secretariat's vehicle.
The family alleged that similar situations had happened on three other occasions, and that in those previous events, the necessary materials were also found in the child's backpack.
Camila de Jesus approached the Municipal Education Secretariat, which suggested that the problem be resolved internally, without needing to resort to other means. In a statement, the secretariat affirmed that it had heard both the family and the professionals involved to investigate the circumstances of the event.
Disappointed with the secretariat's stance, the mother filed a police report at the Alagoinhas police station. The Civil Police, in an official note, confirmed that it is investigating the complaint of harassment, and that procedures and testimonies are underway to clarify the case.
The woman also sought out the Public Ministry of Bahia (MP-BA) and gave an interview on a local radio station. After this interview, the Education Secretariat summoned her for another meeting. Camila lamented that they proposed changing her son's school, as if the child were to blame for something.
The mother informed the secretariat that the boy would not return to school until there was a change in management. She told g1 that the child was not receiving any psychological support after the harassment.
Municipal Government Statement
The Municipality of Alagoinhas, through the Municipal Education Secretariat (Seduc), declared that it has taken appropriate administrative measures regarding the incident involving a student enrolled at the Municipal School of Comprehensive Education of Campo. The Secretariat conducted hearings with the family and the professionals involved to investigate the details of the case and collect the necessary information for the inquiry.
Considering the nature of the event, the documents and reports gathered were sent to the legal department of the Municipality of Alagoinhas to initiate an inquiry, aiming to investigate the facts and verify any possible functional responsibility. The Municipality of Alagoinhas reaffirms its commitment to the protection, well-being, and safety of students in the municipal network. The Municipal Government assures that it will closely monitor the case and take all pertinent actions until its conclusion.
