Mother Claims N.Y. School Officials Handcuffed Disabled Son
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A New York woman says school officials forcefully handcuffed her 12-year-old disabled son after he picked up a rock.
Edgar Leon-Caraballo, who has a rare genetic disease and is learning disabled, was denied his civil rights on May 14 when a police officer or a security guard handcuffed him on the school playground, according to his family's notice of claim against the Huntington School District and Suffolk County.
A notice of claim is the first step required before suing a public agency. Anthony Capetola, the family's attorney, said he plans to file a federal lawsuit seeking at least $10 million.
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At a news conference Monday, the attorney and Edgar's mother, Rosa Caraballo, alleged that Edgar was grabbed, shoved to the ground and then handcuffed after an aide — who is with Edgar at all times — told him to drop a small stone he had picked up.
The lawyer said a feeding tube attached to Edgar's stomach was torn during the incident; his mother said Edgar has had nightmares ever since.
After the incident, Huntington Intermediate School principal Mary Stokkers suspended Edgar for a day, the family said. In a May 15 letter to his parents, Stokkers wrote that the reason was "aggressive behavior toward himself and staff members."
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The school has declined to comment, saying it does not normally speak publicly about student-related matters.