The photo above shows 13-year-old Donovan Pena with bruising across his face after he injured himself at Zachry Middle School, where his parents allege he was abused.
The photo above shows 13-year-old Donovan Pena after he injured himself at Zachry Middle School. His parents say he had bruising across his face and that he was abused at school. (SBG San Antonio)
RELATED | Teacher accused of abusing nonverbal autistic student at Zachry Middle School
Daisy Pena said she feels guilty that she wasn’t there to protect her son.
“I wasn’t there as his mother to protect him, and just ugly guilt,” said Daisy Pena.
Donovan’s parents say Northside ISD staff called them in March to review footage of Donovan’s teacher yelling at him. The district would not allow them to record the video, but Daisy Pena recorded audio.
“I don’t like that. If you want to pull on a shirt, pull on your shirt,” said Daisy Pena.
Donovan is a nonverbal autistic child. His parents said pulling on his shirt is one way he communicates, and they don’t understand why it became a complaint. They also said four incidents were recorded and that other staff members were in the room but did not report what happened.
“We even saw another ALE teacher in the video just standing across the room, laughing and complaining,” said Daisy Pena.
“Another staff member was telling her, ‘Let me text you next time I’m dealing with Donovan so you can scream at him,’” said Daisy Pena.
According to the Penas, the principal selected the teacher to work with Donovan. They said the principal told them she had no idea this was happening, even though she heard high-pitched screams coming from Donovan. The parents say the principal told them the situation was the norm.
“You didn’t think to get up to go and take a look at my son and make sure everything was OK?” said Daisy Pena.
Daisy Pena and her husband pulled Donovan from the school. His parents want the footage released, and the teacher fired. The teacher remains on staff as San Antonio Police investigate.