Father’s Fight For His Autistic Son

Font Size By Kimberly Curth Weekend Anchor / Reporter
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M30o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Father’s Fight For His Autistic Son
Published: Tue, April 01, 2008 - 6:17 pm
Last Updated: Tue, April 01, 2008 - 6:44 pm
Kimberly Curth
Kimberly Curth
We have new information about allegations of sex abuse at a Mobile County elementary school. A Semmes father claims his 7-year-old autistic son was molested by two other boys in a bathroom at Allentown Elementary School last Thursday. But, Paul Merrell claims it could have been prevented if his son would have been provided with an aide. We wanted to know why that request was not granted. But, because of Federal privacy laws, Mobile County Public School System spokesperson, Nancy Pierce, says she cannot talk about an individual case, "we aren't allowed to say a lot because we're trying to protect the child and so it's federal law that we can't give out information," said Pierce. But Pierce did tell us, to qualify for an aide a child has to be enrolled in special education and have an individualized education plan. She says not all special ed students will be given an aide. It's determined on a case by case basis. Merrell says he enrolled his son at Allentown in January as a special ed student and he says his son was given an I.E.P. But when tests showed his son's I.Q. is 120 plus, Merrell was told his son no longer qualified for special education. Despite the high I.Q., Merrell maintains his son still needs an aide because of his autism, " to look at him he looks fine and he, you know, he just, he needs his help in certain areas. I don't think anybody should stand over him 24 hours a day but I think that there are certain things that we pointed out to them that he needed help in and one of them was going to the bathroom, you know, we specifically said going to the bathroom to help him. That, it wouldn't have happened cause somebody would have been doing, you know, what we wanted all along," said Merrell.

Iknowthetruth,

Not sure what your question means-are you implying that as a parent or grandparent YOU are NOT responsible for your kids. Not sure what that has to do with this thread. But children are the responsibility of those who bring them into this world (or who raise them if the parents are out of the picture).  Perhaps if more responsibility was taken to listen to our kids, verbally and non-verbally we would learn alot. Just like with the story that the child had been bullied for four months-get real. If that was the case, there would have been SOME sign! Once again, mad about aide, mad about loss of SSI check, blame it on the school. That of course is only my opinion. But I have yet to see any follow up investigation that PROVES this was a case of “molestation” or anything else, other than someone trying to milk the system-again my opinion.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 04/18/08 - 10:49 am • Report Abuse.   

who is responsible for our children?...... no one is yet to be able to tell me as a parent… or a grandparent.

Posted by iknowthetruth on 04/17/08 - 8:28 pm • Report Abuse.   

I think everyone is ready for it to be over and to know the truth. Sorry if it sounded like I was attacking your statement, that was not my intent. I am assuming your cousin was older that 6 or 7. I of course don’t know the circumstances and can only wonder how they deemed something a molestation with clothes on, unless there was a physical contact of some sort under the clothes? When I make the comment a molestation cannot be made with clothes on, I am not referring to the above scenario. I mean, that if a child said “you touch mine” or whatever, and yes, they put their hand in that area, on top of the clothes, I don’t see how that can be a molestation or act of sex abuse as it was also referred to. Especially when you look at the ages involved. Of course that is my opinion, and the only way we find out the truth, is if a THOROUGH follow up is done.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 04/11/08 - 5:15 pm • Report Abuse.   

I know these other children and their families would like this to be over and the truth be known.

Posted by sjcmom365 on 04/11/08 - 4:37 pm • Report Abuse.   

rmseek1234, I was just commenting on your response.....

So why aren’t the parents of the girl raising a ruckus? Maybe, another fairy tale?

that i didnt think iknow was saying there was another child. My cousin went to prison for “molestating with his victims clothes on and off. In that court it was called molestation with the clothes off and on. That was in a Montgomery County court.

Posted by sjcmom365 on 04/11/08 - 4:35 pm • Report Abuse.   

sjcmom365,

Well our perception of what iknowthetruth was saying is different. As is my perception of this story and these allegations, and what some others may think. No matter if it were a situation of all boys, boy/girl, or all girls for that matter, I would still say look at the developmental stages and all the factors involved. IF clothes were on, I fail to see how that could be a “molestation.” To me, a molestation is a sexual,physical act. Can’t happen with CLOTHES ON. Yes, if clothes were OFF, I would wonder if it is was childhood curiosity or if the other child/children had seen something they shouldn’t have, or even been a victim themselves. I have said that from the beginning. That more info is needed. I think it really depends on the act. I don’t want to get graphic here, but I think anyone can use their imagination and consider what is truly an act and what isn’t.

I am interested to see if any answers will be forthcoming.

Posted by rmseek1234 on 04/11/08 - 4:26 pm • Report Abuse.   

iknowthetruth

your not responding

Posted by lbblackmon on 04/11/08 - 1:19 pm • Report Abuse.   

a friend of mine was telling me that this whole thing just does not make since and that the school board was informed but there was likely nothing would be or could be done i recieved NO inside information and i am sorry if i made it seem that way but i was simply saying that a friend of mine said it was unlikely that there was truth/ or anything was going to be done about it because it is based on he said she said but basically he said as of now… i never talk to this friend but i decided well lets just ask if they had heard about it i asked around no one gave me anwers as i am sure most people just want answers and they basically said they were aware of the situation but didnt thnk much was going to be done about it… i dont get information about children i dont talk to this person on a regular basis but teachers today will talk about your children to other teachers and to other parents so how about lets not just jump down my throat...Ok? OK

Posted by lbblackmon on 04/11/08 - 11:57 am • Report Abuse.   

iknowthetruth

i am sorry to tell u but no i dont get info on evry child not even this one but to them it is as simple as this… there is possibly no truth to this!!! THANKS

Posted by lbblackmon on 04/11/08 - 9:10 am • Report Abuse.   

rmseek1234, I dont think that iknowthetruth was saying a girl was touched. I think what iknow was saying was, would it be any different if it were 3 boys or 2 boys and 1 girl? That if it isnt called “molestation” and is called childhood curiousity when 3 boys are involved, what would it be considered if it were 2 boys and 1 girl.  Thats the way I took it anyway..

I still very much disagree with you on “if clothes were on or not”. Could it be possible for one of the boys to have an older sibling or adult and have seen them doing something of this nature? Or having it done to them so they dont see anything wrong with touching other kids. Just to set the record straight; I DO NOT KNOW IF THESE QUESTIONS I HAVE ASKED HAVE ACTUALLY HAPPENED. Just some thoughts on 6 & 7 year olds touching one another.

Posted by sjcmom365 on 04/10/08 - 9:28 pm • Report Abuse.   


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