HARRODSBURG, Ky. (WHAS11)-- It's a story capturing national headlines and causing parents to ask, what if that happened to my child? Thursday, the mother of an autistic boy allegedly stuffed into a duffle bag at school for misbehaving went to school officials demanding action.
Sandra Baker says she came to the Mercer County School Board meeting to change the district. When she left, she says the message she wanted to convey to board members was in her opinion, disrespected.
With 170,000 signatures of support from people across America and even the United Kingdom, Sandra Baker addressed the Mercer County School District.
"I'm here today to ask you to take immediate action to stop abuse of autistic children in this school district by disciplining the teacher who did this to Christopher," said Baker.
Baker alleges on Dec. 14 2011 her 9-year-old autistic son Christopher was stuffed into a duffel bag after misbehaving at Mercer County Intermediate School. She says she witnessed Christopher wiggling inside the bag as a teacher's aide stood by.
"What they did to Christopher was wrong," added Baker.
Bakers words were quickly met opposition from school board members and teachers.
“The information being conveyed to the general public is not consistent with the evidence found through school district administrators." said board president Jim Stinnett
"The negative media reports have been fed by frustration, misunderstanding and a lack of communication," said teacher Wilma Thomas
"The school district believes it had already addressed the situation before the matter ever became a national news story." said board president Jim Stinnett
After the meeting Baker defended her story.
"How do they know it's not accurate. They weren't there, they didn't see what I saw," said Baker.
Wilma Thomas, who spoke out against these allegations, teaches first grade in the district. She told WHAS11 the restraint bags Sandra Baker says her son was placed in do exist and can to be used in therapy. She says she's never seen them used.
"Maybe it wasn't explained fully or she didn't understand fully what was about to happen, or what could happen in a situation to try to deescalate a child," added Thomas.
Baker says her attorney is looking at different options. She says she's not willing to give up.
The teacher Baker accuses of using the duffel bag was not at the meeting.
The school district says they can not comment on the issue specifically because of privacy rules.
