Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parent alleges staff physically abused nonverbal kindergartner at North Duplin Elementary, urges independent investigation
Summary
At the March 3 Duplin County Schools board meeting, parent Vincenzo Vadas said his 5-year-old nonverbal daughter with autism was physically abused at North Duplin Elementary and accused the district of covering up incidents; he urged removal of staff and criminal charges. The board made no immediate public response.
At the Duplin County Schools board meeting on March 3, parent Vincenzo Vadas testified that his 5‑year‑old daughter, a nonverbal kindergartner with stage‑2 autism at North Duplin Elementary, was physically abused by school staff and then suspended when she reacted to the alleged abuse.
"This board has not only allowed this abuse to occur, but has actively overseen its cover up by appointing internal investigators instead of seeking independent accountability," Vadas told the board during the public‑comment period. He said another teacher has since come forward to report the abuse and urged the board to "remove the individuals from North Duplin whose presence ensures that the school remains an unsafe environment and press charges against those individuals who physically abused my daughter."
Vadas described his daughter as nonverbal and said she communicates her experience through behavior. "Because Valerie is nonverbal, she cannot tell me what happened with words. She reacts to physical trauma the only way she can," he said, adding that school staff suspended the child for that reaction. He characterized the pattern as "a cycle of victimization" and said previous grievances were met with silence from the board.
The board did not announce any immediate investigatory or disciplinary action during the public meeting. After the public comment period closed, the board proceeded with agenda business, including agenda approval and recognitions, and later went into executive session for personnel matters and confidential student information; the meeting record shows the board returned to open session and approved superintendent personnel requests but does not record any public reply to Vadas's allegations.
The parent asked the board to authorize independent accountability measures and to involve criminal authorities; the transcript does not show the board committing to those steps during the meeting. The allegations remain unresolved in the public record provided at the March 3 meeting.
