Mother plans lawsuit after NY boy with autism allegedly placed in classroom 'timeout' box

People reports a New York mother is preparing to sue the Salmon River Central School District in Fort Covington after learning her 8‑year‑old son with autism was allegedly confined in a "timeout" box at his elementary school. Tully Rinckey PLLC said in a Jan. 6 press release that the mother, Rhonda Garrow, is preparing to file suit after learning her non‑verbal child was allegedly "confined in a 'timeout' box." Garrow said she first learned of the box after seeing photos on Facebook, WRGB reported on Jan.

15, and later was told the enclosure was intended for her son. Garrow told The New York Post, "I feel betrayed," and said she believes her son's disability was used against him; she also alleged the child would be placed in the box after outbursts and that he ate meals there. The enclosure was said to be part of "his behavioral intervention plan," though Garrow reportedly never consented to or had knowledge of the box.

The press release noted that about 60% of the district's students are Native American and that one affected school sits on the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Reservation, and Trooper Brandi M.

Key Topics

World, Rhonda Garrow, Salmon River Central, Tully Rinckey, Fort Covington, St. Regis Mohawk