[profileleft][/profileleft]GTA children’s rights attorneys Allison Worden and Carli Bouslaugh begin trial in Fresno today for Carson F., a minor, who was assaulted by his assigned aide on a school bus in 2013. At the time, Carson was a 10 year-old fourth grader with special needs. We are bringing the case against the Clovis Unified School District and the aid, Spencer Perkins, for the physical and emotional harm the incident caused to Carson. Because of a variety of developmental difficulties, Carson had an Individual Education Plan in place.
The plan required Carson to have a one-on-one aid with him both at school and on his daily bus rides. Prior to the assault, the school had removed Perkins as Carson’s in-school aid because he was not “really a good fit.” Inexplicably, however, the school allowed Perkins to remain as Carson’s aid on the bus.
On the day of the incident, Perkins attempted to question Carson about something that had happened in school that day. When Carson ignored him, Perkins slammed his head against the bus window and forcefully held Carson’s head down. Carson suffered a head injury causing permanent headaches and severe anxiety and emotional distress as a result. His family had to remove him from school and leave the state. We expect the trial to last two weeks. Carson is an awesome, sweet kid and his parents are absolute saints.
No child should be attacked by adults he trusts. We aggressively litigate cases like this one to keep all children safe. We believe strongly in children’s rights. Please send your thoughts and warm wishes to Carson, his family, and their stellar trial team.