Physical Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Teacher

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Dec 6th, 2007

Physical Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against Teacher

A lawsuit was recently filed against Willmar School District in Minnesota, it's administrators, and a teacher.

The suit claims that the teacher violated the rights of a special education teacher.

Lawsuit Details

The lawsuit accuses Vander Heiden, who teaches at Lincoln Elementary, of restraining, abusing and neglecting one of her students.

Heiden supposedly locked the child, who was in first and second grade at the time of the abuse, in a seclusion room.

The suit claims that school administrators knew of the physical abuse and neglect that was taking place, but did nothing to stop it.

Not the First Time

According to reports, this is not the first time that Heiden has been under fire.

Between 2006 and 2007, the teacher was the subject of three school district investigations after coworkers reported that she was physically abusing her students.

Repercussions of Abuse

The suit alleges that Heiden is guilty of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

As a result, the child now suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and has continuous night terrors, says the complaint.

A court order for compensatory educational services for and the child and for punitive damages in excess of $50,000 is requested in the suit.

(Source: West Central Tribune)

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