08-15-2006, 09:44 PM
A 9-year-old special education student was forced to spend hours alone in a small elevator closet at Seaford Harbor Elementary School as a form of "time-out" for bad behavior, the boy's parents claimed Monday in a notice to sue the district.
While the state Education Department condones the use of "time-out" rooms on a limited basis only if parents are aware of the treatment and have consented, the boy's parents argue that they never approved the use of it on their son.
Matthew Grogan, who has a form of autism, and his parents described in their Melville attorney's office Monday the fear the boy felt inside the 8-by- 8-foot space, which serves as a vestibule to the building's elevator.
"I was very, very scared," Matthew said. "I was trying to get the door open."
The Grogans, of Seaford, intend to sue the Seaford district for negligence and emotional distress. They claim their son was forced into the closet several times beginning in October.
While district officials would not comment Monday and referred questions to an attorney, who did not return phone calls, a Feb. 28 letter to the Grogans from Assistant Superintendent Brian Conboy concedes that Matthew was placed in the time-out area three times. The letter describes it as "the entry vestibule leading to the Harbor School elevator. It is a lighted and heated area of 64 square feet (8' x 8')."
Conboy wrote that Matthew was sent there for inappropriate behavior, including refusing to complete assignments and throwing a computer to the floor. The letter states that Matthew was always accompanied by an adult and spent no more than an hour there.
However, Matthew said he was alone and left there for about two hours at a time, sometimes in the dark.
The Grogans first heard about the punishment around November when they sent Matthew to his bedroom and he pleaded not to be taken to the elevator closet. Roberta Grogan, the boy's mother, said she was so shocked at first she didn't believe he was telling the truth until school officials finally admitted to inflicting the punishment.
Rebecca Cort, deputy commissioner of the state Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, said it would be troubling if it's true the Grogans were not told before Matthew was sent to "time-out."
The Grogans' attorney, Kenneth Mollins, said it is believed the punishment was initiated by a behavioral consultant, Maureen Rockwood, who was contracted through Metro Therapy, which has locations on Long Island and in Queens. The Grogans asked that Rockwood no longer work at the school.
Mollins said Rockwood continues to work at the school. He said he plans to name her and Metro Therapy in the lawsuit, which he expects to file in about a month. Rockwood could not be reached Monday. Metro Therapy's vice president, Conrad Kupferman, said he would not comment until he sees the suit.
BY JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Newsday Staff Writer
While the state Education Department condones the use of "time-out" rooms on a limited basis only if parents are aware of the treatment and have consented, the boy's parents argue that they never approved the use of it on their son.
Matthew Grogan, who has a form of autism, and his parents described in their Melville attorney's office Monday the fear the boy felt inside the 8-by- 8-foot space, which serves as a vestibule to the building's elevator.
"I was very, very scared," Matthew said. "I was trying to get the door open."
The Grogans, of Seaford, intend to sue the Seaford district for negligence and emotional distress. They claim their son was forced into the closet several times beginning in October.
While district officials would not comment Monday and referred questions to an attorney, who did not return phone calls, a Feb. 28 letter to the Grogans from Assistant Superintendent Brian Conboy concedes that Matthew was placed in the time-out area three times. The letter describes it as "the entry vestibule leading to the Harbor School elevator. It is a lighted and heated area of 64 square feet (8' x 8')."
Conboy wrote that Matthew was sent there for inappropriate behavior, including refusing to complete assignments and throwing a computer to the floor. The letter states that Matthew was always accompanied by an adult and spent no more than an hour there.
However, Matthew said he was alone and left there for about two hours at a time, sometimes in the dark.
The Grogans first heard about the punishment around November when they sent Matthew to his bedroom and he pleaded not to be taken to the elevator closet. Roberta Grogan, the boy's mother, said she was so shocked at first she didn't believe he was telling the truth until school officials finally admitted to inflicting the punishment.
Rebecca Cort, deputy commissioner of the state Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities, said it would be troubling if it's true the Grogans were not told before Matthew was sent to "time-out."
The Grogans' attorney, Kenneth Mollins, said it is believed the punishment was initiated by a behavioral consultant, Maureen Rockwood, who was contracted through Metro Therapy, which has locations on Long Island and in Queens. The Grogans asked that Rockwood no longer work at the school.
Mollins said Rockwood continues to work at the school. He said he plans to name her and Metro Therapy in the lawsuit, which he expects to file in about a month. Rockwood could not be reached Monday. Metro Therapy's vice president, Conrad Kupferman, said he would not comment until he sees the suit.
BY JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
Newsday Staff Writer