Parents of special needs children are understandably cautious about who they allow to care for their children. When it comes to schooling, they are aware of the power they give up, and they have to put a lot of trust in those teaching their kids. A mom whose child attends Beattie Elementary School in Lincoln, Nebraska, has had her trust broken.
The mom took to social media to share a harrowing experience. She’s alleging that her child’s special education teacher has been abusing several of their students in extreme ways. And now, the police are getting involved.
The physical assault of three boys, ages 5 and 6, was reported to police on Friday, February 28, 2025, according to a public incident report KOLN obtained. The alleged assaults happened between August 1, 2024, and February 26, 2025.
Police records do not give details about the alleged assaults. They also do not give the name or any identifying details about who perpetrated the alleged abuse. And while they’re not giving details or naming names, someone is.
Mom Mercedes Fowler, posted on Facebook giving details about the alleged abuse. In her public post, she explains that her 5-year-old son is autistic and nonverbal. Her post makes claims that her son is one of the abused children.
Fowler claims that the teacher is “torturing” her son and the other students. According to Fowler, the teachers forced the children to “eat hand sanitizer because they are either spitting or have excessive saliva.” Additionally, she says the teacher was “putting bleach on their hands to keep them from putting their fingers/hands in their mouth.” Plus, she was “pulling them by their ears when they wouldn’t listen or follow directions.”
The mom says she has no idea how long the kids were enduring the alleged abuse. “When I tell you I am lost beyond words,” the woman wrote. “Targeting kids that can’t even advocate for themselves or any child period is insane. School is supposed to be a safe place for them.”
After learning what may have happened, she “had so many emotions and my heart truly hurts for my son and the other two kids who fell victim to this abuse as well!”
According to Fowler, the teacher resigned “effective immediately” before stating the woman “needs her teaching license revoked!”
Lincoln Public Schools released a statement to Beattie Elementary School families, which KFXL shared. “We appreciate those individuals who reported their concerns. We value each and every child that walks through our doors. At Beattie and Lincoln Public Schools we will not tolerate any abuse or mishandling of students. No child deserves to be treated with disrespect or harm,” the statement says.
If you suspect child abuse, you can call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453 (1-800-4-A-Child), or go to Childhelp.org. The hotline is available 24/7.
