Autisic student handcuffed for singing

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Autisic student handcuffed for singing

Story Created: Feb 1, 2008 at 2:05 PM CST

SAN FRANCISCO, California, Feb. 1, 2008 (NBC) -- The parents of an

autistic San , California sixth-grader are expressing outrage

that their son was put in handcuffs because he would not leave a

class.

Eleven year old Gunnar Moody said that it all started when he was

singing a song while doing sit-ups in physical education class.

" She was like, 'Gunnar, you have to leave now.' I didn't do anything

wrong. Why do I have to leave? Everyone else is being loud; why do I

have to get in trouble?' Then she said it three more times and then

she handcuffed me. And it was kind of humiliating because it was in

front of all those kids and she was, like, picking me up and dragging

me out, " Gunnar said.

Gunnar's parents said, what happened at Bret Harte Middle School is

unacceptable.

" The bottom line he's in phys ed. And all the kids are making noise

yelling, screaming and talking and he gets singled out for going 'la-

la-la?' " Moody, Gunnar's father, said.

His mother, Moody, asked a campus police officer if Gunnar had

threatened anyone.

" I specifically asked the officer, 'did he threaten you?' She said

no. I said, 'did he threaten any other child?' And she said no. I

think there should be a better line drawn on what kind of force to

use. And especially with children with disabilities, " Moody

said.

A copy of Gunnar's behavior support plan outlines what to do if he

misbehaves in school and does not include the use of physical force.

The San Unified School District issued the following statement:

The officer's actions helped to maintain a safe atmosphere for the

other 30 students in the class.

The use of restraints is extremely rare and would only be used when

deemed absolutely necessary by the officer for the protection of the

student and his other classmates.

Gunnar's parents plan to meet with school district leaders to talk

about what happened.

Gunnar is suspended for three days.

Asked if he wants to go back to Bret Harte Middle School, Gunnar

said, " No. Because the kids will like pick on me and stuff. Because

of that happened. "