A kindergartner was picked up by his father yesterday after getting into some trouble at school. Apparently the teacher talked to the father about the son's behavior and the father took him home and beat him until he passed out. The child was unconscious for 25 minutes before the father called for help. The child died.
Although I did not know him, I work at a very small school. The kindergarten team of 3 was just inconsolable today. A 5th grade teacher had to leave. Our staff and support personnel had to notify 5-year-olds, deal with law enforcement, crisis intervention teams, school board members, district personnel, and media today. Several of the support team have young children themselves. Although I am older and have been doing this for a long time, I have never seen anything like this. My school is not what you would consider inner-city.
The poor kids who ride the bus to school all knew him and they were found - without adult supervision - at their different bus stops crying this morning. Today was class party day, and for that diversion I am grateful. The news media has just started broadcasting the story and I'm wondering what tomorrow will be like. We know that crisis teams will still be on our campus.
Oh, the final straw. The father, 26 years old, had 13 prior convictions.
That is horrendous!! I am so sorry for that poor child and your school. What a terrible tragedy I can't imagine being the teacher who brought the behaviors to the dad's attention. It's not her fault, but it must be a horrible feeling
I can't even begin to imagine the pain your community is going through. It's just horrible. I am so sorry for your loss. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
This is one of those stories that make me think involuntary sterilization should be happening. Why the h*** did he have custody of his kid with 13 prior convictions?
I'm so sorry your school is dealing with this. That poor teacher. That poor little boy. What was he going home to every night? So heartbreaking!
This is so horrible, the poor child and his family. You wonder how much hatred the father had in his heart to do such a thing. DHS should be called on the carpet, dad had 13 prior convictions and he still had the son.
My condolences to the whole school community. I can't imagine having to go through all the media and answers of why. Stay strong and see the counselor too.
How terrible. I would feel horrible if I were in that teacher's shoes, even though she did nothing wrong. Poor baby. What mother would leave her child with someone like that? I guess someone that made a child with said person.
Feeling so sad for every single person touched by this awful tragedy. (((Hugs))), prayers for comfort and healing, and wishes for peace at what should be a time of joy for the children and teachers.
this is so tragic for all involved. Prayers lifted for your community, for the child's other family members, and for that teacher. I'm sure she is feeling guilty...even though this was no way her fault. She was doing what we all do when dealing with behavior issues. I agree with pp....DHS needs to be investigated as to why this father even had any contact with his child.
The poor teacher -- I hope she knows it wasn't her fault.
Echoing that sentiment. Please pass our condolences along to your school family. I can't even pretend to imagine how terrible that must feel for everyone involved.
How sad for all of the people involved. Prayers to all of them and especially this little baby that was taken too soon. Where is the mother? It is good that you will be on break for a couple weeks.
The father had 13 prior convictions? Why in the world was he even with his father? That is what irritates the heck out of me with the system! That child's loved ones and your school family are in my prayers!
So sorry to hear about this. Please pass on condolences to the child's family, the child's classmates and his teacher. This will be hard for all of them to bear. Peace to all of them.
I so hope that the teachers at school understand that they are in no way responsible for the death of this child. The father shoulders the entire responsibility. He alone brought the nightmare to your school. It's so hard knowing that tragedy reaches out to the very young.
This posting made me almost sick, literally! How a father could beat their child to death is just unbelievable. I hope the teacher doesn't blame herself and realizes this father had demons of his own. No wonder his son was acting out at school. He probably saw similar things happenings at home.
Poor little one. Heaven gained an angle and hell will soon gain a demon (I hope). I cannot believe with 13 convictions that he had access to his child. Do you know if any were for child abuse or assault? UGH. Some people really aren't meant to be parents.
My prayers go out to you, your staff, kids, and community during this tragic time. Beyond teary eyed.
I can't conceive how this could happen. I am so sorry. I do hope the teacher will find some peace- I am sure logically she knows she has no fault here, but I imagine she is in a very hard place right now.
I quickly read the message and it was hard to take. I am so sorry. What can we all do to stop this craziness? It makes me wonder. Violence needs to stop. This family is on my prayer list. How much longer is it going to get?
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12-19-2013, 04:45 PM
I can't imagine being the teacher who brought the behaviors to the dad's attention. It's not her fault, but it must be a horrible feeling 
