AJ is a 13-year-old boy with severe non-verbal autism, intellectual disabilities, and physical limitations who was abused by a bus monitor employed by Somers High School, on February 27th. 

 

When AJ returned home that day, his family found him seat-belted into a vomit-smeared seat, wearing a jacket covered in vomit. They immediately contacted school officials and requested that the bus video be reviewed to determine what had happened.

 

Despite several email exchanges, the school initially claimed that the monitor had cleaned AJ and that she was an exemplary employee of the district. However, when AJ's parents viewed the video, they witnessed the monitor yelling, cursing, and speaking to him in a demeaning and inhumane way. She then buckled him into the seat smeared with vomit and threatened to kill him.  This all happened under the watch of the bus driver who offered no aid or assistance.  Again, all of this was on video.  To this day, the parents were never shown the full video despite numerous requests that the school supply it.  What else are they hiding?

 

AJ’s family called the Somers Police Department and explained what had happened.  They were sure there would be some recourse since AJ is a protected class citizen due to his severe disabilities.  They were told that it “wasn’t a police matter” which was shocking.  They then later found out that the bus driver is also the Chief of Police of Somers.  This may explain why this has been buried.

 

Since the incident, AJ has suffered from nightmares, panic attacks, and self-injurious behaviors. His mother, Sarah, has been silenced by the Board of Education during a public comment section of the meeting when she tried to speak about AJ's traumatic ordeal.

 

Here is the video of Somers BOE walking out as AJ's mom spoke of the abuse he suffered:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuMZAP5MbL8  

 

Despite being found guilty of violating numerous policies and protocols, the monitor is still an employee of the Somers School District and was placed on the bus of another non-verbal autistic child. It took a month for the Superintendent of schools to reply to any email, and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator never contacted AJ's family despite being copied on numerous emails. Despite being Mandated Reporters by law, not one employee in the district reported this abuse in an educational setting as required by school policy.

 

The Board of Education has tried to silence and bury AJ's story and his mother's voice.

 

We demand justice for AJ by petitioning for the firing of this abusive monitor, the State Level review of the Board of Education's conduct, and the Superintendent’s resignation.  

 

#JUSTICEFORAJ