RICHMOND, Va. – A mother of a child with autism said that her son was left behind at George Mason Elementary School in Church Hill, while seven other classmates went on a field trip.
Latonya Lawson said she was told by teachers that her eight-year-old son Amir was told to sit down after he had an argument with another child.
She said that the argument occurred before the outing, but no one took Amir when they left.
“My son told me that he didn't hear anybody and so he sat down for a few minutes and then he got scared,” Lawson said. “He said he banged on the door and the teacher across the hall got the key to let him out of the classroom.”
Amir and the family pet
A spokesperson with Richmond Public Schools said that the boy was alone for about 20 minutes. They also said that the two teachers were disciplined for failing to follow protocol.
The protocol requires them to count students while boarding and getting off of buses during a field trip.
The Mom said she can't stop thinking about what could've happened while Amir was alone.
“Anything could have happened,” Lawson said. He could have gotten injured in the classroom, he could've walked out the door and gone outside – ridiculous.”
Lawson said she's just disappointed the teacher is back in the classroom. It's why she kept Amir home on Friday.
“I just don't feel he's safe there,” she said.
A spokesperson also said they are working with Lawson to relocate Amir.
‘I don’t feel like he’s safe there,’ mom says after kid was locked in classroom alone
Two Richmond teachers disciplined after child with autism left behind for field trip
