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Mom says she found special needs son wearing trash bag in classroom

Posted at 9:42 AM, Sep 24, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-24 11:42:40-04

CHICAGO -- The mother of a Chicago Public Schools student with special needs wants answers after she found her son wearing a trash bag when she visited his kindergarten classroom.

According to WGN, 5-year-old Lloyd lives with epilepsy and is non-verbal. His mother Nyesha Terry found him seated at a desk away from other students wearing a trash bag a teacher had turned into a poncho in his classroom at Wentworth Elementary.

She called it dangerous, disrespectful, and absolutely unnecessary.

“My heart broke,” she said.

She complained to the teacher. She says the teacher explained she was concerned Lloyd would get sick from being in a wet shirt.

The next day, Terry checked in and found the teacher had done it again.

As an epileptic, saliva often times drips onto Lloyd’s shirt. But his previous school didn't need a garbage bag. His mother also says the school had bibs and extra clothing to change him into. She also says she doesn’t why know Lloyd wasn't sitting next to other students in his class.

“He is the only child that was isolated,” she said.

She said she took her concerns to the principal and also repeatedly called CPS for answers but hasn't heard anything.

WGN contacted CPS and they issued a statement saying, in part, "We work to ensure all students are comfortable in their learning environment. This incident is inexcusable and CPS has launched an investigation. We will take all appropriate actions to ensure this issue is resolved and prevented from happening again."