In February 2020 Michael Swapsy Sr. got a call from his 8 year old son's school principal, Sean Hollas; about an incident that day. "Your son is in handcuffs." Michael Swapsy's son was a 3rd grader at Explorer Elementary in Goddard, KS. He has ADHD so his teacher Darrin Downing has an IEP (individualized lesson plan) for Michael Swapsy Jr and his father had spoken to the teacher about known triggers that might set off certain behaviors. Darrin Downing used a timer (one of these known triggers) and the situation escalated to the point of the teacher calling in a school police officer, Johnnie Ogden, who then handcuffed the 8 year old child. Then officer Ogden called officer Terry Tompkins for back up. After 13 minutes they finally removed the handcuffs then tied his hands up and placed a spit mask (bag) over his head.
Because of this "incident" in what should have been a safe space for learning, the Swapsy family have decided that Michael Jr. will be homeschooled. They have started a Go Fund Me page Here to cover the costs of homeschooling him They hope that by bringing awareness to what happened to Michael and by having the State Department of Education reopen the complaint, that no other child will have to fear going to his or her classroom or school. No parent should get a call like that from their child's school. Michael Sr. is walking from Kansas to the 2020 Democratic convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 17-20, to raise awareness you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter #BlackForrestGump2020
Updates
July 28, 2020
The momentum surrounding this pursuit of justice has grown significantly over the past few days. It is encouraging to witness so many people recognize the gravity of what happened to Michael. This collective attention increases the pressure on the relevant authorities to reopen the complaint.
26 Comments
That why the police shouldn’t be in the school, police suppose to be there to help control or Calm down situation instead they Blow everything out of control and the next thing you know your kid in is I. Handcuffs and got a record
shame on the system.!! i have an ADHD son who is now grown NEVER put restraints on a child with this!! or any child that age. there needs to be more training and criminal investigation!!!
I was horrified to learn that this 8 year old child was handcuffed, then tied and finally a spit mask was placed upon his head by police all while he was attending school. This is unacceptable!
I’m about to start my 16th year as a para educator. I have worked with violent students and I have never seen one in handcuffs or hands tied with a bag on their head.
This type of punishment shows a lack of proper training and is extremely traumatic for any person, especially a child with sensory issues. I am absolutely disgusted that anyone would have thought it appropriate. Keep your officers out of the schools if you cannot provide them the tools to deescalate situations properly.
justice for Michael jr
I am a special needs kid and I don't see what the big fuss is here
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In February 2020 Michael Swapsy Sr. got a call from his 8 year old son's school principal, Sean Hollas; about an incident that day. "Your son is in handcuffs." Michael Swapsy's son was a 3rd grader at Explorer Elementary in Goddard, KS. He has ADHD so his teacher Darrin Downing has an IEP (individualized lesson plan) for Michael Swapsy Jr and his father had spoken to the teacher about known triggers that might set off certain behaviors. Darrin Downing used a timer (one of these known triggers) and the situation escalated to the point of the teacher calling in a school police officer, Johnnie Ogden, who then handcuffed the 8 year old child. Then officer Ogden called officer Terry Tompkins for back up. After 13 minutes they finally removed the handcuffs then tied his hands up and placed a spit mask (bag) over his head.
Because of this "incident" in what should have been a safe space for learning, the Swapsy family have decided that Michael Jr. will be homeschooled. They have started a Go Fund Me page Here to cover the costs of homeschooling him They hope that by bringing awareness to what happened to Michael and by having the State Department of Education reopen the complaint, that no other child will have to fear going to his or her classroom or school. No parent should get a call like that from their child's school. Michael Sr. is walking from Kansas to the 2020 Democratic convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin August 17-20, to raise awareness you can follow him on Facebook, Twitter #BlackForrestGump2020
Updates
July 28, 2020
The momentum surrounding this pursuit of justice has grown significantly over the past few days. It is encouraging to witness so many people recognize the gravity of what happened to Michael. This collective attention increases the pressure on the relevant authorities to reopen the complaint.
26 Comments
I have a special needs child and if she was to be cuffed I wouldn't send her back to school. This doesn't need to be done to children period.
That why the police shouldn’t be in the school, police suppose to be there to help control or Calm down situation instead they Blow everything out of control and the next thing you know your kid in is I. Handcuffs and got a record
shame on the system.!! i have an ADHD son who is now grown NEVER put restraints on a child with this!! or any child that age. there needs to be more training and criminal investigation!!!
I was horrified to learn that this 8 year old child was handcuffed, then tied and finally a spit mask was placed upon his head by police all while he was attending school. This is unacceptable!
I’m about to start my 16th year as a para educator. I have worked with violent students and I have never seen one in handcuffs or hands tied with a bag on their head.
This type of punishment shows a lack of proper training and is extremely traumatic for any person, especially a child with sensory issues. I am absolutely disgusted that anyone would have thought it appropriate. Keep your officers out of the schools if you cannot provide them the tools to deescalate situations properly.
justice for Michael jr
I am a special needs kid and I don't see what the big fuss is here
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I have a special needs child and if she was to be cuffed I wouldn't send her back to school. This doesn't need to be done to children period.