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BOSTON, Massachusetts (WCVB) — A report obtained by 5 Investigates reveals new details about a child with autism being restrained inside a Boston school. It states that the 4-year-old non-verbal student was “trapped” in a corner with classroom furniture at the James F. Condon School in South Boston.
The child’s mother is searching for answers as to why her son was treated this way, but the report from the school provides little explanation
A teacher is on leave, as 5 Investigates first reported on June 30, but details of that also remain murky.
The mother spoke with 5 Investigates on the condition of anonymity. She said her son is typically loving, energetic and kind, but she noticed a change in him back in May when he no longer wanted to get on the bus to go to school.
“He started to cry, and he didn’t want to get on the bus,” the mother said in Spanish.
Although she received a letter from the school informing her that a restraint had occurred early that month, it wasn’t until later that a social worker told her the details.
The restraint report from Boston Public Schools, which was released on July 15, said the student became upset and cried when he was denied access to classroom materials. Then, the teacher “physically held” the young student by the shoulders to move him away from the area, and the student’s crying increased.
The teacher “utilized a desk and other classroom furniture to physically trap (the student) in a corner, creating a secluded area that restricted his movement,” the report details.
The narrative says the student “did not engage in any actions that posed a physical threat to himself or others.”
A physical restraint can only be used as a last resort to protect students and staff from harm, according to Boston Public Schools’ policy.
The practice is highly regulated by the state. Teachers and staff can only perform a restraint if they’ve been trained.
The policy says the use of unnecessary force in a restraint is “expressly prohibited,” and students must be released immediately once they’re no longer in danger.
“The saddest part—what I feel—is that he can’t defend himself,” the student’s mother said. “He can’t tell me, ‘Mom, I got hurt,’ or ‘Mom, this happened to me.'”
5 Investigates went to the teacher’s home, but speaking through an intercom system, she declined to comment.
The restraint report said the incident “aligns with a consistent pattern of behavior” with the teacher, who has been observed pulling students by the arm, picking them up, using a frustrated tone and denying students access to recess or outdoor time.
The impacted student is now enrolled in a different school. The restraint report says the student requested a hug from the specialist after the incident and returned to engaging with his peers.
His mother said she hopes sharing the story will prompt improvements within Boston Public Schools.
“I know I’m not the only one going through these things. I know the system needs to improve for vulnerable children in general—not just non-verbal children with autism; we need to do better for so many more children,” she said.
In an emailed statement, a BPS spokeswoman said, “We are aware of this reported incident and are fully investigating the circumstances in accordance with established policies. We take all reports involving student safety seriously and will take appropriate action based on the findings of the investigation. The safety and well-being of our students remains our highest priority, and we will continue working directly with the student’s family and staff on appropriate next steps and necessary supports.”
This statement was sent in response to our initial report in June, and the district has refused to provide any further statement since then, including any response to the newly released incident report.
Mayor Michelle Wu, when asked by 5 Investigates, said, “I am aware that there’s an investigation continuing on this, and once that is complete, the appropriate response and actions will be taken by the district.”
When asked for a message to the impacted mother, Wu said in Spanish, “As a mother of kids in our public schools as well, the responsibility of the city, importantly, is to protect and create a safe environment with supports for every member of the community, especially our kids.”
The use of restraints in Massachusetts schools has increased slightly in recent years, according to data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
During the 2024-2025 school year, 29,314 restraints took place in Massachusetts schools, up from 29,074 in the school year prior.
Boston Public Schools recorded 355 restraints last school year, with 10 coming from the Condon School.
This is not the first restraint-related investigation at the James F. Condon School.
In 2024, the district investigated an “inappropriate use of restraints” on a 3-year-old student, as WCVB previously reported.
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