DeSoto ISD Mom Demands Answers After Daughter Injured in Wheelchair Accident

Incident Overview

• 💔 A mother, Latia Allen, is seeking answers from DeSoto ISD after her 14-year-old daughter, Alia, who has Rhett syndrome, was severely injured.
• 🤕 Alia, who is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair, suffered facial injuries including missing teeth and a bloody face after an incident on September 3rd.

Conflicting Accounts and Video Evidence

• 🗣️ Initially, a teacher stated Alia's wheelchair was not locked, causing her to fall.
• 📹 However, school video footage revealed that another special needs student was pushing Alia, and she fell down the stairs while still secured in her chair, hitting the concrete face-first.
• 😥 Latia expressed her distress and confusion upon learning the true circumstances of the accident.

Parent Advocacy and School Response

• 🤝 Latia, with over 20 years of experience with special needs adults, attempted to work with the school but felt compelled to speak out after a subsequent incident where Alia was not secured in her chair.
• 📣 Other parents showed support for Latia at a school board meeting, emphasizing the need for necessary conversations with leadership.
• 📝 DeSoto ISD acknowledged the hurt and frustration, stating the teacher was placed on leave pending investigation.

District Actions and Future Plans

• 📚 The district plans to implement quarterly focus groups and conduct staffing reviews to strengthen student support, which has already led to the addition of two para-professionals.
• 🎓 Despite Alia no longer attending the school, Latia is committed to fighting for policy changes to protect all students with special needs.